Surrounded by security guards, Eurovision singer Gianluca Bezzina yesterday slowly pushed his way through the hundreds of fans who turned up at the airport to welcome back the new darling of Maltese pop music.
“I never expected to be greeted in this way. I always had support, and I felt it, but I never expected such a warm welcome. I’m so grateful to all those who were behind me,” the 23-year-old shy doctor said minutes after landing.
He described the Eurovision contest as the best experience of his life; it brought him closer to his band members and introduced him to many new people.
He thanked God for giving him this experience and for everything else in his life.
On Saturday night, Gianluca managed a creditable eighth placing at the Malmo Arena in Sweden. It was Malta’s best result in the glitzy competition since 2005 when Chiara came in second with her song Angel. He also beat the predictions of international bookies, who had rated his song, Tomorrow, 15th out of the 25.
Emmelie de Forest from Denmark was the runaway favourite of voters across Europe with her song Only Teardrops.
Yesterday, as the catchy melody was being hummed across the island, Gianluca and his band returned to find that the Maltese were highly appreciated of his performance.
“I thank everyone for all the support, comments and likes they sent us. If I didn’t have such support throughout this experience, I would have been more scared on stage. But I felt that everyone was behind me, making everything easier,” he said.
Speaking to Gianluca was a struggle for the media who had to squeeze through as the young singer was mobbed by fans trying to congratulate him or get an autograph.
With his trademark smile – this time veiled by a sense of incredulity – Gianluca reached beyond the bubble of protection created by the security officers who circled him to sign his name.
Among the crowd were friends and relatives of the band as well as fans who just wanted to get a glimpse of “doctor feel-good”.
Luana Camilleri and Keturah Desira Demicoli, both 12, formed part of a group of girls who turned up at the airport to greet Gianluca.
“We think he did an amazing job and we like him,” Keturah said.
Luana giggled as she added: “And he’s really cute”.
Moira Polidano, 35, said she was there to show her support for the Maltese singer with the infectious smile.
“I think he deserved better. But we all know how votes are given during the Eurovision,” she said.
Writing in his blog, Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja described Gianluca’s song as “brilliant” adding that it was “delivered impeccably”.
He said there would always be an element of cross-voting between countries but he believed Malta will, one day, lift the Eurovision trophy.
The Nationalist Party, the Labour Party and Home Affairs Minister Emanuel Mallia congratulated Gianluca.