Ira Losco, who last Saturday won the Malta Song for Europe festival and will represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, has spoken of bullying tactics” as she starts preparing for the event.

Writing on Facebook, Ira, who placed second in the competition in 2002, said that every year the contest is surrounded by controversy, before or after the event or even both.

“Some comments are funny, others based on wrong facts or assumptions whilst others meant to be hurtful or even bullying tactics. I can take it or I hope I can. Unfortunately we do know of cases where not everyone can so I want to use this experience to pave the way to those who encounter similar situations that ultimately what doesn't break us makes us stronger. It's not going to lessen my will to make this a wonderful experience and another chapter in my musical journey. I was asked several times to return and I finally did because I wanted to. I do not regret it one bit.”