Eurovision Song Contest 2023 has ‘clearly got to be held in London’ claims mayor Sadiq Khan-Adam Miller-Entertainment – Metro

The mayor has put London forward for Eurovision 2023 (Picture: Getty/BBC)

While cities up and down the UK make their bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, Sadiq Khan has insisted London should ‘clearly’ be the top pick.

The United Kingdom will host Eurovision for the first time in 25 years after Ukraine was deemed unable to stage the contest due to the ongoing Russian invasion.

Sam Ryder’s epic performance of his single Spaceman came in second place to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra in May this year, and subsequently the UK was picked to host the contest instead.

While Glasgow and Birmingham remain favourites to clinch welcoming Eurovision, and even market town Darlington has put itself forward as the ‘underdogs’, Khan still thinks it’s ‘got to be’ London and said it’s been a ‘long time coming’ with the city last hosting in 1977.

‘I’m really excited Eurovision is coming to the UK and, actually, whether it’s in another part of the UK or London it’s really important that we do Ukraine proud,’ he told Evening Standard.

‘It’s a fact, though, that the largest number of Ukrainians here live in London.

Ukrainian act Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision 2022 (Picture: Rolf Klatt/REX/Shutterstock)

The shortlist of countries in the running to host Eurovision will be announced on Friday (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s also a fact that there are many Londoners of Ukrainian origin and this is going to be Eurovision hosted by Ukraine in another city in the UK. Clearly, it’s got to be London.’

Khan also assured he was in talks with authorities to make sure they ‘understand the strength of feelings from the Ukrainians’ that London would be the perfect host.

However, whichever city does host the contest faces a dilemma – every single large capacity venue in the UK, including London’s 02 Arena and OVO Wembley Arena, are fully booked for the Eurovision slot.

Council leaders have been told the chosen venue will be taken over by Eurovision produers for six to eight weeks before the live final in May.

On Friday, the BBC will announce its short-list of cities that are in the running.

The Eurovision Song Contest returns to BBC One in 2023.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More