Boris Johnson: Ukraine can and should host next Eurovision Song Contest!

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Ukraine can and should host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday, after the organisers said they were in talks to hold it in Britain instead due to the war.

While decades-long tradition dictates that the winner of the contest gets to host it the following year, organisers said the security guarantees required to hold the competition in Ukraine meant discussions would be held with the runner up, Britain.

UK: First odds for Eurovision 2023 hosts!

“Of course I would love it to be in this country but the fact is they won and they deserve to have it and I believe they can have it and I believe that they should have it,” Johnson told reporters on arrival back in Britain after a visit to Kyiv.

“I believe that Kyiv or any other safe Ukrainian city would be a fantastic place to have it,” he added. “It is a year away, it is going to be fine by the time the Eurovision Song Contest comes round and I hope the Ukrainians get it.”

The comments by organiser the European Broadcasting Union on Friday that it was in discussions with British broadcaster the BBC to host the next event was greeted with disappointment in Kyiv, which demanded further negotiations.

Source: Reuters

UK: First odds for Eurovision 2023 hosts!

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It may be just a few hours after the United Kingdom actually “took over” the organization of Eurovision 2023, but already the first bets for the host of the contest have seen the light of day. Read more

Eurovision 2023: London, Manchester, Liverpool and Belfast among cities interested to host!

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Moments after EBU announced that Ukraine will not host Eurovision 2023 and the launch of discussions with BBC to host, several UK politicians and local officials expressed their interest to host the contest.

Apart from Glasgow which at the moment is the favorite to host, let’s take a look at the cities that appear to be interested to host:

Manchester

The local city council of Manchester tweeted that they can think of the perfect place to host next year’s contest, insinuating of course, Manchester.

Liverpool 

The mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson sent her love and solidarity to Ukraine while she expressed the desire of her city to host the contest, honoring Ukraine.

London 

London is of course, part of the list. The mayor of London Sadiq Khan, tweeted earlier today that “Londoners would welcome Eurovision with open arms.”

Belfast 

Even though it might not have as many chances to host as the beforementioned cities, Belfast Green Party members said to BelfastLive:

“The Eurovision song contest is watched by millions of fans around the world and host countries often use the opportunity to promote their countryside, towns and cities beyond the host city limits, so not only would this be a huge opportunity for Belfast, but also for the whole of Northern Ireland to be shown off on the world stage.”

Leeds

Leeds City Council issue a statement on bid to host Eurovision 2023, stating that they have already come in contact with BBC to discuss hosting plans.

Aberdeen

Apart from Glasgow, there is another bid coming from Scotland. Six local politicians sent a letter to Tim Davie, CEO of BBC, focusing on the available facilities that could be used to host the contest.

Birmingham  

Having hosted the contest in 1998, Birmingham is also interested to host. Councillor John O’Shea tweeted: “Birmingham has done it before. It can do it again.”

Cardiff 

Wales are of course part of this list. Member of the Parliament Kevin Brennan suggests Principality Stadium as the venue for the 2023 contest.

At this moment, it is not know if there is going to be a bidding process or the hosting city will be announced directly. Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Eurovision 2023: The first minister of Scotland is ready for the contest in Glasgow!

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The first minister or simply the Prime Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon is ready for talks with the BBC, in order for Glasgow to take over the organization of Eurovision 2023.

Her statement comes shortly after the EBU announced that Eurovision 2023 would not take place in Ukraine and that it was starting talks with the BBC to take over the UK next year. The BBC immediately rushed to accept the honor, to take over next year’s Eurovision.

Nicola Sturgeon, who has led the Scottish Government since 2014, is the leader of the Scottish National Party, which is in favor of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. She is the first high-ranking British politician to make a statement on the issue of hosting Eurovision 2023 immediately after the latest developments.

Glasgow is said to be a big favorite to host Eurovision 2023. According to British media, Glasgow appears to be the BBC’s choice to host Eurovision 2023. Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, with the River Clyde crossing it from east to west, passing through the center of.

Should Glasgow be selected by the EBU and the BBC for the next competition, it will be hosted by OVO Hydro. OVO Hydro is Scotland’s largest indoor stadium, hosting many sporting and cultural events each year and with a capacity of up to 14,000 spectators. Among others, huge names of the world music scene have passed through the OVO Hydro stage, such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Muse, Adele, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and others.

We look forward to the developments of the coming weeks and months, in order for the EBU and the BBC to reveal more details about their planning for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

It’s official: Eurovision Song Contest 2023 goes to the UK!

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“Following their win at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May the EBU has been exploring options for the hosting of next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC, who previously staged the event in 2017 and 2005.

It has become a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year, providing certain criteria including ensuring the viability of staging the event and the safety of all stakeholders, including the public, are met.

Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues.

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world with thousands working on, and attending, the event and 12 months of preparation time needed.

Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC.

The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra’s win on 14 May in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year’s Contest cannot be held in Ukraine. 

Breaking News: Glasgow will host the Eurovision 2023 in UK if Ukraine pulls out!

The EBU has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians.

As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year’s runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom.  

It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts.”

Some minutes after, the BBC made an official announcement, accepting the right to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, as the runner up of Eurovision 2022.

We can call it officially now, that the UK will host the Eurovision 2023!

Source: EBU

Breaking News: Glasgow will host the Eurovision 2023 in UK if Ukraine pulls out!

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The BBC is drawing up plans to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in the UK – after Ukraine won this year’s show. The UK could step in and host instead of Ukraine amid the invasion by Russia.

Sam Ryder finished second last month. The president of Spain’s national broadcaster has all but confirmed the UK will host Eurovision if Ukraine can’t.

Jose Manuel Perez Tornero said: “We don’t want to be left with the mirage of a good result. We are going to go out to win next time. We were also interested in organising 2023 Eurovision. But if Ukraine resigns, it will be the BBC that organises it.”

Glasgow has been earmarked as the city to host the event according to British media. Sam Ryder, was recently asked whether he would be willing to give it another try next year.

Ukraine: Preparations commence as UA:PBC submits questionnaire on security

Sam commented: “I just want more people to experience it…The more people that do, the more it will become engrained in the UK’s attitude that Eurovision is something that we are so lucky to have.” Asked if he would help to find the next hopeful to fly the flag for the UK, Sam responded:

“Of course! Whoever does it is in for the time of their life.”

Stay tuned in Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Spain: Withdraws its interest in hosting Eurovision 2023!

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Since May 15, after the victory of Kalush Orchestra, the question on everyone’s mind is: “Where will Eurovision 2023 be held?”.

Although the Ukrainian authorities, as well as the national broadcaster Suspilne, have made it clear that the winning country will host the contest, several countries have expressed their interest to be considered as back-ups. Among others, the UK, Italy and Sweden have expressed their willingness to host the contest. It seems, however, that one of the strongest candidates has stepped back off the scene.

On 13 June, the newspaper ‘Faro De Vigo’ published a wide-ranging interview with the president of RTVE, José Manuel Pérez Tornero. Among other statements (happiness about Spain’s result in Turin, plans for a Latin American song contest), President Pérez Tornero made it clear that Spain would not host Eurovision 2023.

“We don’t want to stay under the illusion of a good result, we will aim to win next time. We would host the contest ourselves, but in the end, if Ukraine withdraws, the BBC will organise it.”

It is, therefore, obvious that Spain is out of contention.

But has the EBU come to a conclusion? Perhaps, as the RTVE chairman seems pretty sure that all options have been left aside except Ukraine (which seems to be the EBU’s main choice) and the UK as the only remaining fallback option.

Whatever the case, however, it is certain that the name of the host country and city will not be revealed any time soon.

Source: escbubble

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest news regarding Eurovision 2023!

UK: Sam Ryder ready to support national selection for 2023

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He gave the United Kingdom its best results in more than two decades on Eurovision and he has not stopped since then.  Sam Ryder performed recently at the Platinum Jubileum Concert.  He met the royal family and even talked with them about his participation in Turin.  In an interview for People magazine, Sam said Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton watched with  Prince William this year’s Eurovision.

I said ‘hello’ to Kate, and she was asking about the performance.  She is so kind and said that the royal family had all been supporting me for a while and all throughout Eurovision.  Then Princess Beatrice came over and had a chat with us too. (…)  What I gather is a lot of the members of the royal family had seen Eurovision and were supporting my song from home, which means a lot.

Just one month after his participation the question keeps coming on: will Sam represent the United Kingdom again?  According to Sam Ryder, he is not planning to repeat his Eurovision journey in the near future.  However, he wants to support his country to find the right candidate for 2023.  Talking to The Mirror, Sam said that he would like to participate in the finding of his successor.

I just want more people to experience it…The more people that do, the more it will become engrained in the UK’s attitude that Eurovision is something that we are so lucky to have.

Sam Ryder won the jury vote for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.  He also won the Marcel Bezençon Award in the press category.  However, he ended up in second place in the Grand Final behind Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra.  The UK representative said he agreed with the final score.  Moreover, he celebrated Ukraine for its victory in Eurovision this year.

“I think it’s so important because that’s what Eurovision to me has always been about. Since I’ve been a kid, I’ve been a fan of it for years, it’s about standing for something and showing solidarity and kindness, and it was important to use that platform for everyone to just get behind them. And those guys are wicked, the song is also a banger, it gives me massive Beastie Boys vibes and I just couldn’t be happier for them.”

Would you like to see Sam Ryder participating in Eurovision in the future?

Source: Eurovoix, MSN

United Kingdom: The first Delegation meeting for Eurovision 2023 took place today!

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The delegation of the United Kingdom for Eurovision surprised their fans today, announcing that the first meeting for 2023 took place, prompting speculation about what the meeting entailed.

Instead of the meeting being a 2022 report, Lee Smithurst, a producer of BBC and a member of the UK delegation, posted on his personal Instagram account that it was also the first meeting for Eurovision 2023.

These news has created a lot of speculation among the British fans of Eurovision, regarding the content of the meeting, including the next artist, but also the submission of the interest of hosting for 2023. Although the preparations in Ukraine started a while ago, there is a feeling that the competition will end up being organized in cooperation with another European country, due to the ongoing invasion of Russia in Ukraine.

In any case, it is unusually early for the United Kingdom to host a meeting, so it seems the BBC is not resting after the second place in Turin last month!

The United Kingdom earned their best result since 1998 with Sam Ryder’s “Space Man”, finishing second behind Ukraine and earning 466 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ0hqX_92zI&list=PLmWYEDTNOGUJVTOMa-ZEmF0y7Iwkg11e2&index=4

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the participation of the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023!

Source: escunited.com

UK: Robbie Williams wants to perform at Eurovision 2023!

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After Sam Ryder brought the best result for the UK in 25 years, the interest for the contest within the country already seems to increase.

Former “Take That” member and one of the best selling artists worldwide, Robbie Williams was invited to BBC Radio 1 Official Chart Show hosted by Scott Mills, on the occasion of the release of his new album XXV.

Among others, he stated his love for Eurovision and he revealed that he wants to perform next year as an interval act. This is what he said:

Actually, I’ve already put my name forward [for Eurovision]. Not to represent the UK, but to do that bit at half time, like Madonna and Justin Timberlake. […] Absolutely, I’ll have a bit of that. Nobody did that, then Justin Timberlake did it one year.

While negotiations are underway between EBU and Ukraine about hosting next year’s contest and several countries declared their interest for hosting in case Ukraine is unable to do so, a decision is yet to be made.

 

Would you like to see Robbie Williams as an interval act next year? Tell us in the comments below!

Source: Officialcharts.com