Eurovision UK
BBC set to step in as Ukraine is unable to host
NEXT year’s Eurovision Song Contest could be held in the UK on behalf of this year’s winner Ukraine.
The BBC has held talks to “potentially host” the 2023 event after war-torn Ukraine was ruled out by TV bosses.
The country’s Kalush Orchestra won this year’s competition in Italy and it is traditional that the winning nation hosts the event the following year.
But the European Broadcasting Union said a “full assessment and feasibility study” had concluded the “security and operational guarantees” required to host the event cannot be fulfilled by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC. In a statement, it said: “In accordance with the rules and to ensure continuity, the EBU will now begin discussions with the
BBC, as this year’s runner-up, to potentially host the 2023 contest in the UK.
“It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows.”
The BBC said: “Following their decision, we will of course discuss hosting the Eurovision Song Contest.
“Clearly, these aren’t a set of circumstances that anyone would want.”
If the 2023 event is held here, it will be the ninth time the contest has taken place in the UK – more than any other country.
The last time Eurovision came to our shores was in 1998, after Katrina and the Waves won the 1997 contest with their song, Love Shine a Light.
Singer Katrina Leskanich tweeted that she was “practically hysterical over the announcement”.
Britain’s Sam Ryder was runner-up in Turin this year. Downing Street welcomed the possibility of the UK hosting Eurovision and pledged to ensure the event would “overwhelmingly reflect Ukraine’s rich culture, heritage and creativity”.
According to the Eurovision website, the host broadcaster generally contributes “between €10 and €20million” to stage the contest.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon suggested a “perfect venue” would be “on banks of the River Clyde”.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Londoners would welcome Eurovision with open arms.”
Presenter Rylan Clark, who is tipped to host the UK coverage in 2023, tweeted a Union Jack flag emoji.
However, the EU is reportedly working on a rival Brussels-based bid.
Overwhelmingly, it would reflect Ukraine’s rich culture, heritage and creativity
NO10 SPOKESMAN ON WHAT A BRITISH EUROVISION COULD BE LIKE