And the Winner is

a competition that was beset with technical problems

The top prize in the Benidorm Song Contest last Saturday, the Golden Cygnet, was scooped by a young Mancunian called Guy Swimer. Singing 'Sweet Lady' Guy topped the polls by a country mile and walked away with the prize and €18,000!

The jury, comprised of music and TV personalities awarded the second prize to a duo, Jamming, form Valencia, in a competition that was beset with technical problems from start to finish.

One singer had to restart his song 5 times because of gremlins in the audio system and there was no bar service in the auditorium, a measure introduced to keep the audience in their seats so that they wouldn't spoil camera shots by walking about during the songs!

17 June 2004 Stephen White.