Trans star Dana International returns to Eurovision

Transgender singer Dana International is to represent Israel again in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The 39-year-old star, real name Sharon Cohen, will perform her new song Ding Dong in the competition.

She won the contest for Israel in 1998 and since then, has released eight albums, making her one of the country’s most successful pop acts.

Israeli television viewers selected her to represent them this week.

After the results were announced, she told the Yediot Aharonot newspaper: “I’m crazy about this country

“I love everyone and I’m really happy to have been given another opportunity to bring the Eurovison back to Israel.”

Eurovision will be held in Germany this year.

In 2009, the final of the contest was held in Moscow.

Gay rights campaigners including Peter Tatchell were arrested after staging a march in the same week to highlight homophobia in the Russian capital.