As well as news programmes, O'Connell continues to dabble in both light and prime-time entertainment programmes. From 2004, he commentated on the "Eurovision Song Contest "semi-finals on BBC Three. He also presented various behind-the-scenes segments at the main final of the contest, shown on BBC Three. In 2010, O'Connell took part in a Eurovision edition of "PopMaster" on "BBC Radio 2's" "Ken Bruce Show", losing to John Kennedy O'Connor. He was again a contestant on 17 May 2013, winning the contest against Ken Bruce, with John Kennedy O'Connor as question master. On 17 March 2011, he announced via Twitter that he had been replaced as a commentator for the Eurovision semi-finals as the BBC 'refreshed' their Eurovision team. He appeared in the 2011 documentary "The Secret History of Eurovision". In 2017 he appeared alongside Ken Bruce on Radio Two's Eurovision Song Contest coverage of the final.