Glen Vella won the Malta Eurovision Song Contest tonight, and with it the right to represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf in May.

The ever-smiling young singer, who was second in the same concert last year and third the year before, jumped for joy and hugged the comperes as he finally triumphed with the song One Life. This was his fifth attempt.

The winner was announced at the end of a three-hour show at the Mediterranean Conference Centre where the audience was entertained not only by the 16 finalists but British boy band Blue,Winter Moods and, in a surprise, the chairman of the panel of judges Riccardo Cocciante

The people's vote in televoting also went to One Life. The song was written by Fleur Balzan and composed by Paul Giordimaina.

The maximum points by the panel of six judges went to Finally, Over and Over, Finally, One Life, One Life and One Life.

The festival was produced by PBS.

Glen Vella started singing when he was 13 and is certified in voice coaching by the Victoria Music and Arts College of London.

As is evident from his stage performances, one of his idols is Michael Jackson.

His birthday is on May 14, the day of the Eurovision Song Contest final.