Sweden the favourite to win Eurovision

Sweden's Eurovision entry has emerged as the favourite to win this year's contest in a Europe-wide BBC vote.

Charlotte Perrelli, who won the event in 1999, was the convincing victor with her song Hero, ahead of Ukraine, Switzerland and host nation Serbia.

The United Kingdom's Andy Abraham polled only enough votes to finish in 33rd place in a field of 43 songs.

One Eurovision fan from each country chose their Top 10 songs ahead of tonight's first semi-final in Belgrade.

Their choices were awarded Eurovision-style points, with one point for 10th place, up to a maximum of 12 points for their favourite songs.

The points were combined to create the final standings, from 1st to 43rd place. Montenegro came last with just two points.

The Swedish star finished 62 points clear of Ukraine's Ani Lorak, and was awarded maximum points by several fans from all parts of Europe.

Perrelli - who won Eurovision in 1999 as Charlotte Nilsson - would secure Sweden's fifth win if successful, and become the first woman to win two contests.

Ireland's Johnny Logan is the only singer to have won twice in the competition's 53-year history, in 1980 and 1987.

For the first time this year, two semi-finals are being staged - and most of the 43 competing countries will have to fight for a place in the final.

The only automatic finalists are the host nation and last year's winner Serbia, plus the UK, France, Germany and Spain - the biggest financial contributors to the event.