Picture exclusive by Brennan Simpson
Britain’s Eurovision hopeful Antony Costa unfastens his trousers then casually urinates against a cash machine.
The singer – whose group Blue were chosen to represent the country in the song contest just three days earlier – is pictured near Trafalgar Square, only 30 yards from a public toilet.
The 29-year-old father of one relieves himself while deep in conversation on his mobile phone, leaving a pool of urine on the pavement.
After finishing the call, he reaches into his back pocket for his wallet.
He eventually re-fastens his trousers – with total indifference to other people needing to use the Post Office cash machine – after withdrawing a wad of notes.
BBC bosses, who screen family favourite Eurovision to a Saturday evening audience of millions, have hailed Costa and Blue as the “perfect choice” to represent the UK in this year’s contest.
As part of its coverage, the Corporation is screening a prime-time, one-hour documentary about the group for whom Eurovision offers a lucrative opportunity to return to the public eye.
But Costa’s shameful behaviour – symptomatic of the worst excesses of anti-social, binge-drinking Britain – may now force a BBC re-think.
The Sunday Mirror has passed on the photographs to the Metropolitan Police, who will be confronting Costa. He could face a fixed-penalty fine of up to £100.
Police have launched a crack-down on yobs who urinate and vomit in the street in response to public outrage at behaviour which nightly shames towns across Britain.
They will be particularly irritated that he didn’t use a public lavatory which was in such easy reach.
Costa, whose hits with Blue include Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word and All Rise, relieved himself almost within view of Charing Cross police station.
George Iatrou, manager of the Post Office on William IV Street where the incident took place, said Costa should be dropped from Eurovision.
“This is appalling,” he said. “We clean the machines every day but what he has done is disgusting. We shouldn’t have to clean up after people behaving like this – it’s not a civilised way to behave.”
The Sunday Mirror revealed last week that Blue – who formed in 2001 and have sold 13 million records – will be the UK’s Eurovision choice.
The contest is expected to be watched by seven million viewers here and 70 million across Europe when it is staged in Dusseldorf on May 14.
There was a hostile reaction to the choice of Blue from contest followers who branded the group – made up of Costa, Duncan James, Simon Webbe and Lee Ryan – as “has-beens”.
Many said the BBC should have chosen a fresher act.
BBC head of entertainment and events Katie Taylor insisted: “We’re enormously pleased to have found an act that not only meets but exceeds all the criteria for a great entry. Blue are the perfect choice and we’re so proud to have them representing us.”
Celebrating the news on Wednesday night, Costa attended a party for Dancing On Ice stars at the Sanctum Hotel in London’s Soho.
At midnight, he left with a group for nightclub Bungalow 8 in St Martins Lane.
At 3.30am, looking slightly unsteady, he emerged from a side door and went down an alleyway talking on his phone.
He hailed a black cab to the cash machine 50 yards away. He got back into the taxi after relieving himself and getting his money out, and drove off.
Neil Park, 52, landlord of The Chandos pub opposite the cash machine, said: “It’s disgusting. He is urinating against a cash machine that people have to touch.”
Student Saori Yanagi, 27, from Japan, who used the cash machine a day later, said: “People in Japan have more respect than to do something like this. This is embarrassing for his country.”
In 2005, Costa’s ex Lucy Bolster revealed how he dumped her by phone when she was six months’ pregnant with their daughter Emilie.
Last March police and council chiefs cracked down on people urinating in the street in Westminster. A total of 31 people were prosecuted and fined in excess of £1,900.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard last night said that the matter was being taken seriously.
He said: “We do not condone this type of behaviour and this incident will be looked into.”
Laws he may have broken
ANTONY Costa’s behaviour breaches one of two laws.
He could either be prosecuted under the Public Order Act because he was likely to have caused “alarm or distress” to others, or for being drunk and disorderly. Fines are up to £100.
justin.penrose@sundaymirror.co.uk