Entertainment
Nicola Sturgeon wants Eurovision 2023 to be hosted in Glasgow as it’s confirmed UK will host instead of Ukraine-Kim Novak-Entertainment – Metro
Downing Street has also welcomed the competition coming to the UK after Ukraine were unable to host next year’s event.
Although Ukraine won this year’s show, the UK will be stepping in to host (Picture: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Nicola Sturgeon has thrown Glasgow’s name into the running to host Eurovision 2023 after it was confirmed it could come to the UK as Ukraine is unable to host.
The First Minister of Scotland suggested Glasgow as host city for next year’s event, tweeting: ‘We wish @Eurovision could be in Ukraine but understand that in circumstances this isn’t possible.
‘However, I can think of a perfect venue on banks of the River Clyde!!@scotgov is happy to discuss with BBC, @GlasgowCC @EBU_HQ and others.’
The EBU had earlier shared a statement revealing that Ukraine, who won 2022’s event, would not be able to host due to the volatile situation in the county following Russia’s invasion.
It read: ‘Following their win at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May the EBU has been exploring options for the hosting of next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC, who previously staged the event in 2017 and 2005.
‘It has become a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year, providing certain criteria including ensuring the viability of staging the event and the safety of all stakeholders, including the public, are met.
‘The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world with thousands working on, and attending, the event and 12 months of preparation time needed.
‘Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organise and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC.’
The EBU thanked Ukraine’s public broadcaster for their ‘wholehearted operation’ while options were being explored and added that it would now work with the BBC on hosting next year’s show while paying tribute to the winners, Ukraine.
The UK’s Sam Ryder came in at second place (Picture: REUTERS)
Downing Street has also welcomed the song contest coming to the UK, with a spokesperson adding: ‘Ukraine’s victory in the Eurovision song contest was richly deserved and as the rightful winner the Government’s firm wish has been to see next year’s contest hosted there.
‘If the EBU decides the competition can’t go ahead in Ukraine we would of course welcome the opportunity to work closely with Ukraine and the BBC to host it here in the UK.
More: Eurovision Song Contest
‘But we would be committed to ensuring it overwhelmingly reflects Ukraine’s rich culture, heritage and creativity, as well as building on the ongoing partnership between our two countries.’
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra had been crowned winners of this year’s Eurovision, while the UK’s Sam Ryder came in second place with his track Spaceman.
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