The Glasgovision Song Contest!
As shortlist of 7 cities revealed (with London out) could it be...
SCOTTISH singer Lulu and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon were celebrating yesterday after Glasgow made it into the running to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield will join the Scots city – the bookies’ favourite – in the next stage of the bidding process to host the 67th annual event. London did not make the shortlist.
Ukraine was prepared to host after it won this year’s competition, held in Turin, Italy, with the band Kalush Orchestra.
But the European Broadcasting Union, which produces the annual event, decided it cannot be held in the war-torn country because of ‘safety and security’ concerns following Russia’s invasion.
Lulu, born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, was only 20 when she performed Boom Banga-Bang at Eurovision in 1969. It was voted one of four joint winners. Speaking on Good Morning Britain yesterday, she said: ‘Well, of course when I was a child living in Glasgow I remember Sing Little Birdie, Sing [the UK’s 1959 entry] and it was very exciting but it was a very small event.
‘I am excited about it, especially because of Ukraine.
‘My heart and everyone’s heart goes out to Ukraine and this is a chance to represent them and do right by them.’
Miss Sturgeon tweeted: ‘It’s got to be Glasgow!’
Next year will mark the ninth time the competition has been held in the UK – but Scotland has hosted it just once, in 1972, at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.
Richard Muir, deputy chief execvision utive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: ‘As our track record proves, Glasgow is well positioned for hosting the EuroSong Contest. We are hopeful that we get the chance to demonstrate exactly why we hold that status with an incredible event that incorporates Ukraine’s shared vibrant culture.’
Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: ‘Delivering such a unique event in such a short timescale presents a challenge, but Glasgow has an unrivalled track-record for successfully hosting major global events.’
Daniel Twist, an expert on Eurovision from the University of the West of Scotland, said: ‘Glasgow’s main rivals to become host city are, in my view, Liverpool and Manchester. However, Glasgow is such a popular choice with Eurovision fans, that I think it’s still the city to beat.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We’ll engage with Glasgow City Council as they develop their bid. Like people across the country, we look forward to seeing how plans for the contest unfold.’
The winning city will be announced in autumn.
‘This is chance to represent them’