Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Eurovision role an Ab Fab honour for Joanna
DAME Joanna Lumley will be announcing the Eurovision Song Contest results for the UK. The Absolutely Fabulous actress, 78, will reveal what points the UK national jury has given to the other contestants during the competition’s grand finale next week in Malmo.
The public votes are combined with the professional jury in each participating country to decide who should be crowned the winner.
Dame Joanna said: “Good evening Malmo, it’s Joanna here. I am delighted to be announcing the jury vote for the UK at this year’s Eurovision.
“It’s such a fabulous honour to give the iconic ‘douze points’.”
She was revealed as the UK’s Eurovision spokesperson on BBC One’s The One Show by Eurovision commentator Graham Norton yesterday.
The points from the jury, made up of five members who are from an artistic background relevant to the competition, range from the maximum “douze points” (12) to zero.
After the presentation of the scores, the public points from all participating countries are combined, providing one score for each song.
Dame Joanna follows in the footsteps of comedian and Doctor Who star Catherine Tate, Britain’s Got Talent star Amanda Holden, TV chef Nigella Lawson, comedian Mel Giedroyc and Pointless star Richard Osman.
Years & Years singer Olly Alexander, from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, will perform his dance-infused track Dizzy on behalf of the UK for Eurovision audiences on Tuesday.
Alexander is already through to the final along with France, Germany, Italy and Spain – as well as last year’s winner Sweden.
This is the first time the “big five” countries and the host country will perform their songs in full during the semi-finals.
Eurovision’s grand final will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8pm on Saturday, May 11.