The star-studded team that will host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest from Liverpool for audiences around the world was announced on Wednesday.
Presenting the Grand Final on May 13 to a global audience of 160 million will be Eurovision legend Graham Norton, along with Ukrainian singer-songwriter and frontman of alternative band The HARDKISS, Julia Sanina.
Emmy Award-winning actress Hannah Waddingham and singer-songwriter, pop star and TV host Alesha Dixon will also join them.
Presenting the two semi-finals live on May 9 and 11 from Liverpool will be musical superstar trio Julia, Hannah and Alesha.
Ukrainian broadcaster Timur Miroshnychenko will be the Eurovision correspondent in Liverpool, appearing in VT inserts during the live shows and providing live information from the Ukraine comment box at Liverpool Arena.
Eurovision presenters revealed: (L-R) Sam Quek, Mel Giedroyc, Rylan, Julia Sanina, Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon, Scott Mills, Rylan and Timur Miroshnychenko
Time to celebrate: Emmy Award-winning actress Hannah Waddingham (left) and singer-songwriter, pop star and TV host Alesha Dixon (right) will join the lineup.
Iconic: Presenting the Grand Final on May 13 to a global audience of 160 million will be Eurovision legend Graham Norton
Together with Liverpudlian presenter Sam Quek, he will headline the live broadcast of the Opening Ceremony on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.
For the Grand Final commentary on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, Graham and actress-comedian Mel Giedroyc will take turns in the commentary box to provide viewers at home with their unique and expert views on the acts of 2023.
For the first time in UK Eurovision Song Contest history, both semi-finals will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with radio DJs and Eurovision pundits Scott Mills and Rylan providing British audiences with your colorful and insightful comments.
There will be a special commentary team on BBC Radio Merseyside, including Claire Sweeney and the winner of The Voice of Eurovision talent search, currently underway to discover new Scouse talent.
Twitter went wild with news of the announcement on Wednesday.
They wrote: ‘my 16 year old self would go crazy if someone told me that julia sanina will host eurovision’.
‘Much more excited for Eurovision now! !!!!!’
“Another morning win for me: Graham Norton presenting Eurovision and Mel Giedroyc completing the communications when he’s on stage.
Dream duo: Ukrainian singer, songwriter and leader of alternative band The HARDKISS Julia Sanina will team up with Eurovision presenter Graham
Much loved: For the first time in UK Eurovision Song Contest history, both semi-finals will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with radio DJs and Eurovision pundits Scott Mills and Rylan providing to the British public for his colorful and insightful comments.
More to come: There will be a special commentary team on BBC Radio Merseyside, including Claire Sweeney and the winner of The Voice of Eurovision talent search, currently underway to discover new Scouse talent, (file image)
A great announcement! Graham Norton announced that the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 would take place in Liverpool during an appearance on The One Show in October.
Struggling: Liverpool, pictured, was selected over Glasgow to host the ceremony
“Hannah Waddingham hosting Eurovision is one of the biggest murders ever witnessed in human history.”
In October, Graham appeared on The One Show on Friday to reveal where in the UK the event would take place after Liverpool and Glasgow were named the final two cities in the race.
Comedian Graham said: “The city that will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 is…Liverpool.”
The Ukrainian orchestra Kalush triumphed in the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy, but the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the annual event, decided the show cannot be performed safely in the country following the invasion of Russia.
The group said in a statement: “We are very pleased that next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool. Although we have not yet had the privilege of visiting, the city’s musical heritage is known the world over. the world.
‘Playing in the same place where The Beatles started will be a moment we will never forget!
“Although we are saddened that next year’s competition cannot take place in our homeland, we know that the people of Liverpool will be a warm host and the organizers will be able to add a true Ukrainian flavor to Eurovision 2023 in this city.”
Hannah Waddingham fans: Twitter went wild over Wednesday’s announcement
Following the announcement, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Although we face stiff competition from Glasgow, who deserve more than the zero points they have received on this occasion, no one has more experience or is more qualified, and no one else throws a party like us.
“We want to put on a show Ukraine is proud of, and we have been working closely with Liverpool’s sister city Odessa to make sure this is their event as much as ours.
‘Now the hard work begins. Putting on a show that will give millions a night they will never forget in one of the most turbulent and difficult years for our continent is no mean feat.
“If there’s anywhere that can do it, it’s the Liverpool city region, with a little help from our friends in the Ukraine.”
The director general of the British competition broadcaster, the BBC, Tim Davie, said of Liverpool’s victory: ‘Congratulations to Liverpool.
“We have had some incredible offers to host the Eurovision Song Contest and I am delighted that Liverpool, the undisputed capital of pop music, and bursting with energy and enthusiasm, will be hosting the event in 2023.
‘Of course, it should be hosted by Ukrainians, but I am sure that we will do justice to them, to the wonders of Ukrainian culture, and in partnership, we will create something truly special.
‘So, many, many congratulations. It has been a tough competition but you deserved the victory and we are all excited.
“I am looking forward to the preparations and a very special event in 2023.”
