Shortlist for UK host cities in the running for Eurovision 2023 is announced, including Glasgow and Birmingham-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

It’s been assured that Eurovision will be a celebration of Ukrainian culture (Picture: Getty)

The shortlist for the UK cities in the running to host Eurovision 2023 has been announced by the BBC.

Ever since it was confirmed that the UK would be hosting the competition next year instead of Ukraine, several spots around the nation have been vying for the chance to do the honour.

While the mayor of London Sadiq Khan insisted that the event should be held in the English capital, other cities including Glasgow and Manchester also threw their hats in the ring.

Now, the shortlist for the seven cities that could be granted the chance to host the annual spectacle has been revealed, and they are: Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.

Despite Darlington’s recent defiant bid to be named the host city, having described themselves as the ‘underdogs’, unfortunately they were not successful… nor was London, which was also snubbed.

Before making the big reveal on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 with the help of Scott Mills and the executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest Martin Österdahl, Kalush Orchestra’s Eurovision 2022 track, Stefania, was played on the airwaves.

The radio presenter explained that 20 cities put forward ‘expressions of interest’ to host, before the applicants were whittled down to a shortlist.

Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won this year (Picture: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

After the Eurovision shortlist was announced, Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of unscripted content, said: ‘We would like to thank all of the cities and regions that submitted bids to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. We have seven fantastic cities who we are taking through to the next round.

‘Congratulations to Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield – it’s exciting to see such a breadth of bids going through from across the UK.’

She added: ‘We are committed to delivering a truly unique Song Contest that celebrates wonderful Ukraine and champions British music and creativity in all its diversity.’

Following the announcement that the UK would host Eurovision 2023, after Sam Ryder finished as the runner-up behind Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra in the 2022 competition, it was assured that the event would be a celebration and honouring of Ukrainian culture.

Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy, Oleksandr Tkachenko said: ‘The Ukrainian flag, videos of Ukrainian cities, Ukrainian presenters, and a Ukrainian creative group will become an integral part of the show in Great Britain.’

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer, reiterated this message in an email sent to staff who work at the broadcaster, writing: ‘We will work closely with our colleagues at the Ukrainian broadcaster, UA:PBC and will showcase Ukrainian culture and music as a key part of the event.’

The UK’s Sam Ryder said about Ukraine ahead of Eurovision 2023: ‘It’s their party, we’re just inviting them to throw it at our house’ (Picture: Reuters)

While several cities have been putting forward strong campaigns to be considered as the host location, Nottingham recently ruled itself out.

David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said in a statement: ‘We have carefully considered the criteria which potential host cities are required to meet ahead of submitting a formal application.

‘Unfortunately, despite having a great venue, a vibrant and diverse community and excellent green transport links, Nottingham doesn’t meet the wider capacity requirements for an event of this scale.

‘Sadly, we have collectively decided not to put forward a bid on this occasion.’

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