Entertainment
When is Junior Eurovision 2022, where is it being held and how to watch?-Caroline Westbrook-Entertainment – Metro
The UK is hoping for a few douze points.
Freya Skye is hoping to bring the Junior Eurovision trophy home to the UK (Picture: PA)
You’d be forgiven for not knowing about the existence of Junior Eurovision, despite the fact it’s celebrating its 20th anniversary this year – because in recent years the UK hasn’t taken part.
But all that’s about to change – as following Sam Ryder’s success at the main event in Turin in May, the United Kingdom has now returned to the Junior Eurovision fold for the first time since 2005 – ahead of hosting the song contest in Liverpool next year on behalf of winners Ukraine.
It also means the contest – which showcases acts aged between nine and 14 across the continent – will be aired on the BBC this year, as our hopeful, 13-year-old singer Freya Skye, flies the flag for the UK with the undisputed bop Lose My Head.
But just when is the contest taking place, where is it taking place – and how can you tune in?
When is Junior Eurovision 2022?
Junior Eurovision will take place on Sunday December 11, as 16 acts compete for the chance to lift the coveted trophy.
Junior Eurovision has been held every year since 2003 – there was even a contest in 2020, despite the main Eurovision being cancelled in the wake of the pandemic, with acts performing remotely while the presenters held the fort in the host country Poland.
The first ever contest was won by Croatia, although the record for the most wins so far comes from Georgia, who have taken the title three times – in 2008, 2011 and 2016.
The UK previously took part three times, with their best performance coming in 2004 when they finished second behind Spain with Cory Spedding’s The Best Is Yet To Come.
Although they have not competed since, Wales took part in the contest as an independent nation in 2018 and 2019.
Several Junior Eurovision acts have also gone on to compete in the main event – among them Destiny Chukunyere, who won the contest for Malta in 2015 and later represented Malta at Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam with dance anthem Je Me Casse.
Malta’s Destiny went on to take part in Eurovision 2021 after winning the Junior contest in 2015
Singer Stefania Liberakakis, who appeared in Netherlands act Kisses at the 2016 Junior Eurovision, represented Greece at Eurovision 2021, finishing 10th with her song Last Dance.
Where is Junior Eurovision being held?
Junior Eurovision this year is taking place in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan, following their win in 2021 with singer Malena and her track Qami Qami.
It’s the second time Yerevan has hosted the contest – it previously took place there in 2011 after their first Junior Eurovision win in 2010.
The following countries will be taking part in the show:
NetherlandsPolandKazakhstanMaltaItalyFranceAlbaniaGeorgiaIrelandNorth MacedoniaSpainUnited KingdomPortugalSerbiaArmeniaUkraine
The show will also feature a performance from Rosa Linn, whose 2022 Eurovision entry Snap became a worldwide hit after it went viral on TikTok, and is now one of the most streamed song contest entries of all time.
Rosa Linn will be performing a new version of her viral Eurovision hit Snap (Picture: Getty Images)
As with the main contest, the winner will be determined by a mix of jury and public votes, and you can already vote for your favourite – with the voting window having opened on Friday.
You can find out more information on how to vote at the official website.
How to watch Junior Eurovision in the UK
You can watch Junior Eurovision on BBC One and on CBBC on Sunday from 3pm.
The show is set to run for two and a half hours until 5.30pm – although given the unpredictable nature of live TV, it could of course run for longer.
If you miss it you’ll be able to catch up via the BBC iPlayer.
And for those who like their Eurovision to come with a side order of Graham Norton, you won’t be getting him this time – instead the commentary will be provided by TV and radio presenter Lauren Layfield and singer and former Strictly contestant HRVY.
MORE : Montenegro pulls out of Eurovision 2023 along with North Macedonia over costs of Liverpool contest
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