British TV star Alesha Dixon, actress Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina will host the Eurovision Song Contest, it has been introduced.
The worldwide music present will happen on the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool in May after the town was chosen to host the competitors on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
Broadcaster Zoe Ball, 52, introduced the news on her BBC Radio 2 breakfast present on Wednesday.
She mentioned: “Last time the Eurovision was in the UK back in 1998 hosted by our dear Sir Terry Wogan and Ulrika Johnson, last year in Turin of course Alessandro Cattelan, Laura Pausini and Mika, in those fabulous bright suits.
“On the TV internet hosting the Eurovision Song Contest last in Liverpool shall be Alesha Dixon, the Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, the award-winning actress from ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Game Of Thrones’ Hannah Waddingham and somebody chances are you’ll effectively know, Mr Graham Norton.
“While Graham is on the TV because he’ll be doing the presenting, he will have a little bit of help from the commentary box – Mel Giedroyc will be there as well, on hand to be his glamorous assistant.”
Norton returns because the commentator for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, marking his thirteenth time internet hosting the BBC’s protection of the competitors.
Ball added: “Alesha, Julia and Hannah will also be presenting the semi-finals.”
Dixon rose to fame within the early 2000s as a member of the woman group Mis-Teeq, earlier than pursuing a solo profession with hits together with The Boy Does Nothing.
The 44-year-old lifted the BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” glitterball in 2007 with skilled associate Matthew Cutler earlier than returning to the competitors as a choose on the panel for 3 sequence till 2011.
She then joined the judging panel on “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2012 and has change into a beloved face on TV.
Dixon mentioned: “I’ve performed all over the world and there is just something about the buzz and anticipation of a live show that can’t be rivalled. Eurovision delivers that excitement, creativity and talent, but on a vast, global scale.
“I keep in mind watching the Eurovision Song Contest on the TV after I was small, so to be there bringing the Grand Final and Semi Finals to individuals watching internationally is HUGE.”
Meanwhile, British actress Waddingham, 48, who scored an Emmy for her performance as Rebecca Welton in award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso,” said it was a “nice privilege” to host the song contest “this yr of all years.”
She said: “There’s one thing actually particular about Eurovision which is why I’ve been an avid fan for years – from the camaraderie of all of the acts backstage, to the epic scale of the present.
“It’s one of the world’s greatest music festivals, but this year, perhaps more than ever, it is such a great honour to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, a country which has carried itself with such strength and unity.”
Sanina, who fronts Ukrainian different rock band The Hardkiss, completes the all-female line-up.
Last yr, the singer was chosen by the general public to take a seat on the skilled jury to pick Ukraine’s 2023 Eurovision entry alongside 2016 Eurovision winner Jamala and Taras Topolia from the band Antytila.
The 32-year-old beforehand highlighted the significance of Liverpool internet hosting on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, saying the mixture of the cultures coming collectively “is going to be something unbelievable.”
On internet hosting the tune contest, she mentioned: “I’m so excited to showcase Ukrainian culture and creativity, and to help put on a show to make my country proud. I can’t wait to get to Liverpool and meet the fans and the rest of the Eurovision family.”
BBC Eurovision director Martin Green beforehand mentioned Ukraine’s participation within the tune contest may be imagined as a “really rich ribbon running through” the occasion.
Ukrainian broadcaster Timur Miroshnychenko, who has commentated on Eurovision in Ukraine since 2007, will seem in the course of the reside reveals to offer perception from Ukraine’s commentary field within the Liverpool Arena.
Miroshnychenko and Liverpudlian presenter Sam Quek may even entrance the Opening Ceremony reside stream on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube Channel.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of unscripted, mentioned: “The BBC is thrilled to have such a talented line-up bringing the Eurovision Song Contest from Liverpool – on behalf of Ukraine – to the world.
“One factor that really unites us all is music, and we’re proud to have a crew – who’re effectively accustomed to the worlds of music, performing and reside broadcasting – as a part of our Eurovision presenting household.
“It will be a remarkable moment for the BBC to deliver two huge pinnacles in this year’s broadcasting calendar, the king’s coronation and Eurovision, within the same week.”
A complete of 37 international locations are set to participate in Eurovision this yr, with Ukraine robotically qualifying as 2022 winners in addition to the so-called “big five” – Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – who every get a free go due to their monetary contributions to the occasion.
The 15 international locations who shall be performing within the first semi-final on May 9 embody Ireland, Serbia, Latvia, Norway, Portugal, Croatia, Malta, Sweden, Moldova, Switzerland, Israel, the Netherlands, Finland, Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, semi-final two on May 11 will see Armenia, Cyprus, Romania, Denmark, Belgium, Iceland, Greece, Estonia, Albania, Australia, Austria, Lithuania, San Marino, Slovenia, Georgia and Poland go head-to-head.
The BBC has run the occasion as the general public broadcaster in the course of the eight earlier instances Britain has performed host attributable to profitable the competition, or when different international locations couldn’t host the present.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
