Entertainment
Sadiq Khan says London ‘ready to step up’ and host Eurovision 2023 after Ukraine drops out-Charlotte Manning-Entertainment – Metro
The EBU said it would begin discussions with the BBC soon.
Mr Khan is keen to get London to host the competition (Picture: Rex/PA)
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the capital would ‘welcome Eurovision with open arms’ after the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) announced Ukraine would no longer be able to in 2023.
Ukraine won the contest back in May with band Kalush Orchestra, whose powerful song Stefania was a massive hit with the public.
It came just a couple of months after Russia began their invasion of the nation, and millions of Ukrainian citizens have now fled the country.
However, despite President Zelensky previously insisting Ukraine would be hosting next year following their win, it was confirmed yesterday they’ve been forced to give up the chance.
In a statement, the EBU thanked Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC for their ‘wholehearted cooperation’ as they explored all options, before revealing the United Kingdom is a possibility as host after Sam Ryder finished in second place.
EBU said there was ‘deep regret’ over the decision to not host 2023’s contest in Ukraine, but that the reigning champs ‘will be reflected in next year’s shows.’
Kalush Orchestra won in Turin last month (Picture: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
As the speculation continues over which city could end up hosting, if the UK does indeed bag the rights to host, the Mayor of London Mr Khan quickly put London forward as an option.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘Londoners would welcome #Eurovision with open arms.
‘We’re ready to step up and support Ukraine by hosting a contest that pays tribute to and honours the Ukrainian people, and also celebrates the very best of Britain too.’
Other cities keen to take on the gig include Liverpool and Glasgow, with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon already expressing her desire for the event to come to the city.
However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken of his wish for Ukraine to keep the gig, after meeting with Zelensky on Friday.
While speaking at RAF Brize Norton, the Prime Minister insisted that despite the tragic conflict, it was possible for the music contest to go ahead in Ukraine.
Boris Johnson spoke at RAF Brize Norton (Picture: Joe Giddens – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
‘I have just been to Kyiv,’ he told reporters.
‘I won’t say it is completely jiving and buzzing and popping but it is far, far more lively. People are much more confident. People are out in the streets eating in cafes and restaurants in a way that they weren’t, even a few weeks ago.’
Mr Johnson continued: ‘The Ukrainians won the Eurovision Song Contest. I know we had a fantastic entry, I know we came second and I’d love it to be in this country.
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‘But the fact is that they won and they deserve to have it. I believe that they can have it and I believe that they should have it. I believe Kyiv or any other safe Ukrainian city would be a fantastic place to have it.’
Following EBU’s announcement, Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC shared its disappointment with the decision, as the country will miss out on an opportunity to address a global audience.
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