Ira Losco walks on air and gets a call from the PM

Ira Losco was still walking on air yesterday morning, elated at her second placing in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Her mobile telephone did not stop ringing and congratulations flowed in without let, including from the prime minister, who called her at her hotel room in Estonia and told her that she had done "Malta a great honour".

Success follows success for Ira: in February`s Song for Europe Festival she became the first singer to have two songs which placed first and third in the festival, which won her the right to represent her country at Eurovision.

So what is the secret of her success?

"I guess that apart from having a good song, the best thing to do is just to go on stage and have a great time. I never thought Eurovision would be such fun," she enthused.

Ira oozed confidence on stage but before facing her audience, the 20-year-old beauty always spends the last few minutes psyching herself up.

"I have this little routine before I go on stage. I first say a prayer. Then I stay shaking my hands to release the tension and think positive thoughts. Then before I go on stage I put on a big smile, that stays on throughout the performance," she said.

Performing her song 7th Wonder, composed by Philip Vella and written by Gerard James Borg, Ira looked stunning in her seductive white cat suit.

Right from the beginning of the voting, Malta and Latvia were running neck and neck and the atmosphere in Saku Suurhall was electrifying as the small crowd of Maltese shouted loudly in support.

It was Baltic Lithuania, the last of the 24 competing countries to cast its vote, which decided the winner when it gave 12 points to Baltic state Latvia and just three to Malta.

Latvia`s entry, I Wanna, by Marie N placed first with 176 points, Malta following with 164.

Estonia`s song, Runaway, sung by Sahlene, and the UK`s entry, Come Back, sung by Jessica Garlick, jointly placed third with 111 points.

Popular DJ John Bundy, who presented the contest live on PBS from Tallinn, said the Maltese loved the Latin rhythm of Latvia`s entry.

"The song I Wanna had a refrain similar to that of Ricky Martin`s song She Bangs. Each time I play a song by Ricky Martin or a similar Latino singer in Malta it always tops the charts," he said.

Despite all this, everyone was thrilled at having Malta place second and both Mr Bonnici and Norman Hamilton, vice-president of the International Federation of Festival Organisers (Fidof), described Ira as an excellent singer.

So what lies ahead for Ira`s future in the music industry?

"We have already had talks with our German record company, Cap Sounds to determine how to exploit her success and tap new opportunities," Mr Bonnici said.

"We have also discussed how Ira could release a single on the German market. Having placed second in the Eurovision, we have more of a chance of selling the singer`s talents and potential," he said.

However, Ira also has other plans for her future and once she returns to Malta she plans to have a big party with all her friends, whom she hasn`t seen for ages.

Before winning the Song for Europe Festival Ira was reading a Communications degree at the University of Malta and she decided to put her final year on hold. She hopes she will have the time to return to her studies soon.

Ira is philosophical about her success.

"I enjoy being recognised, but it`s not always a bed of roses,` she said. "However, I realise that it`s the price you have to pay because it is the people who have lifted me this high. Fans can make or break you and I will never forget that," she said with a smile.

Ira is expected to return to Malta today at 4.10 p.m. on the Air Malta flight from Stockholm.