Eurovision Song Contest 2022
‘Fingers crossed for some points!’
BBC1, SATURDAY 14 MAY, 8PM ★★★★
What a weekend of special events we’ve got coming up. There’s the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool (airing on ITV and BBC1 – kick-off 4.45pm) on Saturday afternoon, then the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations on Sunday. And on Saturday, there’s also the little matter of this annual festival of fun, live on BBC1 for four whole hours (at least). This year, the contest comes from Turin, Italy, following the country’s victory in 2021 with Zitti E Buoni performed by Måneskin.
THE RULES
This year is the 66th competition, and there will be 40 countries competing, most of which will have competed in the two semi-finals first. But the UK is still one of the “Big Five” countries (with Spain, Germany, France, Italy), who get automatic access to this Grand Final. The result will be determined by a 50/50 vote: 50 per cent of the votes come from the public in each country, and the other 50 per cent from a group of five music professionals from each nation. AJ Odudu will be the UK spokesperson, delivering the results of the
UK professional jury vote live from Salford.
THE TALENT
Thankfully, Graham Norton will return for his 13th Eurovision Song Contest, commentating live from the The Pala Olimpico Arena in Turin, while the Italian hosts are Laura Pausini, Alessandro Cattelan and the singer Mika. Of course, the UK entry this time is “Tiktok sensation” singer-songwriter Sam Ryder, who will be performing his single Space Man.