The host line-up for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 has divided opinion online after being announced by the BBC on Wednesday, with some fans calling the presenters a “random bunch”, “inexperienced” and “disappointing”. .
The Grand Finale’s presentation on May 13 to a global audience of 160 million will be hosted by commentary king Graham Norton, joined by Ukrainian singer and alternative band leader The HARDKISS, Julia Sanina.
They will be joined at the Liverpool Arena by Emmy Award-winning actress and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham and singer-songwriter and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon.
While most are pleased with Graham’s return, some fans are concerned there will be less witty coverage from the comment box if he’s busy with hosting duties.
The BBC said Graham will share the box with sitcom actress and former Great British Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc, who is believed to help cover for him while he is on stage presenting.
Iconic: Presenting the Grand Final on May 13 to a global audience of 160 million will be Eurovision legend Graham Norton
Emmy Award-winning actress Hannah Waddingham (left) and singer-songwriter, pop star and TV presenter Alesha Dixon (right) will join the Eurovision presenters list.
Eurovision presenters revealed: (L-R) Sam Quek, Mel Giedroyc, Rylan, Julia Sanina, Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon, Scott Mills, Rylan and Timur Miroshnychenko
But many fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment at the announcement from some of the other hosts, questioning whether that many were needed.
One wrote: “So many choices when it comes to brilliant, experienced presenters and they pick this bunch at random… Graham Norton aside, this feels like a mistake.”
Another said Dixon’s choice felt “so random”, while one fan added: “I’ve never heard of Julia Sanina or Hannah Waddingham.”
One joked: ‘Are there no scousers or norteños in the line of (national) presenters or commentators? Cancel it. Defund the BBC.
Another shared a photo of the late Terry Wogan, writing: “To think I just needed a presenter!”
Another said: “So the BBC license payers are paying for nine presenters when Terry Wogan used to.”
One said the new presenters were ‘not up to the Terry Wogan standard’.
Mr Wogan presented the song contest from 1971 to 2008 and hosted and commentated on the Grand Final in Birmingham in 1998.
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 Clark providing audiences with british his colorful comments.
Julia, Hannah and Alesha will present the two semi-finals live on May 9 and 11 from Liverpool.
Meanwhile, 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.
The hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 have divided opinion online after being announced by the BBC on Wednesday, with some fans calling them a ‘random bunch’, ‘inexperienced’ and ‘disappointing’.
Ukrainian singer-songwriter and leader of alternative band The HARDKISS Julia Sanina will join Eurovision presenter Graham Norton for the Grand Final.
Together with Liverpudlian presenter Sam Quek, he will headline the live broadcast of the Opening Ceremony on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.
There will also 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.
While some criticized the hosts after they were revealed on Wednesday, others seemed more excited.
One wrote: “My 16 year old self would freak out if someone told me Julia Sanina is hosting Eurovision.”
Another said: ‘YES @hanwaddingham! Much more excited for Eurovision now!
One more added: “Another morning win for me: Graham Norton hosting Eurovision and Mel Giedroyc completing the communications when he’s on stage.”
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
Another fan added: “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.”
