Entertainment
Eurovision fans baffled by BBC’s ‘strange’ statement over hosting 2023 contest: ‘Why do they seem reluctant?’-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro
The Beeb has responded.
Sam Ryder was the runner-up for the Eurovision Song Contest (Picture: Kerry Davies – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Eurovision Song Contest might actually be heading to the UK in 2023 but the BBC’s response has fans baffled.
It’s not just the England football team that have a chance of bringing it home, with the Eurovision Broadcasting Union confirming next year’s competition won’t be held in Ukraine after Kalush Orchestra’s win.
The EBU dropped a major bombshell on Friday morning, noting that the ongoing war in Ukraine means this year’s winners won’t be able to host.
They thanked Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC for their ‘wholehearted cooperation’ as they explored all options, before revealing the UK is in the running after Sam Ryder finished in second place.
They continued: ‘As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year’s runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom.’
In response, the Beeb said: ‘We have seen the announcement from the EBU.
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‘Clearly, these aren’t a set of circumstances that anyone would want. Following their decision, we will of course discuss the BBC hosting the Eurovision Song Contest.’
The wording of the statement has left fans baffled, with some suggesting the BBC doesn’t seem totally enthused by the idea.
One person tweeted: ‘Why is this statement making me laugh so much? It somehow still seems reluctant. #Eurovision’
Others described the broadcaster’s response as ‘strange’, and another quipped: ‘”Oh go on then, if we must.”‘
Kalush Orchestra won the competition last month (Picture: EPA)
Sam Ryder represented the UK (Picture: Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images)
A different user joked: ‘The most “ok then” statement #Eurovision’
And another person teased: ‘I can’t tell whether this is rightly sober because of the context for the decision, or whether the BBC are a bit concerned that they’ve blown all the live event budget on Paddington and the Corgi drones.’
It wasn’t all people poking fun though, with Eurovision fever dominating social media now as fans call for Glasgow or Cardiff to host the competition.
Plenty of people seem to be looking to Eurovision rather than the World Cup for some national pride too, with plenty of people tweeting: ‘IT’S COMING HOME!’
In its statement, the EBU noted that whoever does end up hosting next year will need to make sure Ukraine’s victory is ‘reflected’ in the shows.
More: BBC
‘The EBU has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians,’ they added.
‘It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts.’
The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 can be streamed in full on BBC iPlayer now.
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