Entertainment
BBC set to reveal final two cities in the running to host Eurovision 2023 ‘later today’-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
There are currently 7 cities on the shortlist.
There are 7 cities in the running (Picture: Getty Images)
The BBC has confirmed it will soon announce the final two cities competing to be the home of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester form the current shortlist of potential cities to host Eurovision in 2023 in place of Ukraine.
Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra had triumphed at the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy, but the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the annual event, decided the show cannot be held in the country following Russia’s invasion.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday morning, presenter Sally Nugent said: ‘This morning, listen very carefully to what I’m saying.
‘Ahead of an expected update from our BBC entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson we’re going to be looking at the situation in Manchester.’
After looking at how Manchester is hoping to secure the contest, Nugent, 51, said: ‘As we said earlier, later today we are expecting an update from the BBC.’
She added: ‘As soon as we know, you will know.’
The selected city will be crowned host of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest after the UK was given the chance to host the event for the ninth time – more than any other country – after Sam Ryder came second in the competition last year.
Kalush Orchestra won the competition last year (Picture: REUTERS)
The shortlist was narrowed down from 20 UK cities that initially submitted an ‘expression of interest’, with applicants across all four regions demonstrating how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music, and communities.
Among those launching bids include Darlington, with local mayor Ben Houchen saying: ‘We may be the underdogs that people frequently underestimate but we’ve consistently proven them wrong.’
Sam Ryder came in second place in Eurovision 2022 (Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Bristol had also put their name in the hat but were, perhaps not unsurprisingly, unsuccessful after spending just £70 on their bid.
A recent freedom of information request confirms Bristol City Council spent £50 on actually making a video and another £20.42 on travel expenses.
The Eurovision has launched acts like ABBA (Picture: Getty Images)
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As well as the location, the presenting gig is up for grabs, with famous faces such as Rylan Clark and Scott Mills being suggested for the iconic role.
Other names include veteran broadcaster Graham Norton, who has been providing spot-on commentary each year since taking over from Terry Wogan back in 2009, and Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.
Fans reckon the Turkish actress would be a fab fit for the job, and could draw on her theatrical past as both a soap star and a pop singer.
The Eurovision Song Contest will air on BBC One in 2023.
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