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BBC Radio 2’s listeners voted Sam Ryder’s “Space Man” as their favourite ever Eurovision UK entry!

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Radio 2 today reveals that Space Man by Sam Ryder from 2022’s Eurovision Song Contest is Your Ultimate UK Eurovision Song following a listener vote to discover the nation’s favourite ever Eurovision UK entry.

Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz (1981) is in second place, Ooh Aah…Just a Little Bit by Gina G (1996) is in third place, Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves (1997) in fourth, and Save Your Kisses for Me by Brotherhood of Man (1976) rounded off the top five.

The full Top 40 countdown hosted by Steve Wright is available on BBC Sounds from Monday 24 April and broadcast on Radio 2 on Saturday 13 May, 1-3pm.

From Tuesday 21 March, listeners were asked to vote for up to five of their favourite songs of all the UK entrants that have competed in the Eurovision final since our first entry back in 1957 (with the exception of the cancelled 2020 contest and the 2023 entry). Voting closed on Tuesday 11 April, with the results compiled for this special show, Your Ultimate Eurovision Song.

Space Man represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, after being internally selected through TaP Music and the BBC, the British broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest. It was co-written by Ryder alongside Amy Wadge and Max Wolfgang in London. At the contest in Turin, Ryder finished in second place with 466 points, becoming the highest scoring UK Eurovision entrant, winning the jury vote with 283 points, and scoring the third highest jury votes by a contestant. He scored the best UK their best result since 1998 and its first top three result since 2002. Space Man peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the highest-charting UK Eurovision entry since Gina G’s Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit in 1996.

Sam Ryder says: “This is just bonkers! We went into that competition as fans and we thought it may be that we come absolutely dead last. But what we can achieve is holding ourselves with a certain grace and respect for being there in the first place, and gratitude first and foremost. When we were sat there on the night and those scores started coming in, we were looking at each other bursting out laughing because we didn’t have a clue that would happen. And now this result! I’m just so grateful. Thanks to all of the listeners who voted and everyone at Radio 2 who supported the song from day one – I really honestly appreciate it.”

Steve Wright says: “Sam Ryder’s Space Man has really taken off with Radio 2 listeners! I can’t wait to count down the rest of the chart and see who else has been blasting off into the hearts of Radio 2 listeners as we all look forward to this year’s Grand Final.”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “We’re thrilled to see that Sam Ryder’s Space Man continues to resonate so strongly with our listeners. It’s testament to Sam’s exceptional talent as a songwriter and performer. I can’t wait for everyone to hear all the other stellar Eurovision specials which we have in store on Radio 2 and on BBC Sounds, from Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Eurovision Kitchen Disco to OJ’s Eurovision After Party, not to mention our live coverage of the semi finals for the first time with Paddy O’Connell and the Grand Final commentary hosted by our own Scott Mills and Rylan.”

The Top 40, as voted by Radio 2 listeners:

1. Sam Ryder – Space Man (2022)

2. Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up (1981)

3. Gina G – Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit (1996)

4. Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine a Light (1997)

5. Brotherhood of Man – Save Your Kisses for Me (1976)

6. Sandie Shaw – Puppet on a String (1967)

7. Cliff Richard – Congratulations (1968)

8. The New Seekers – Beg, Steal or Borrow (1972)

9. Lulu – Boom Bang-a-Bang (1969)

10. Michael Ball – One Step Out of Time (1992)

11. Sonia – Better the Devil You Know (1993)

12. Bardo – One Step Further (1982)

13. Scooch – Flying the Flag (For You) (2007)

14. Mary Hopkin – Knock, Knock Who’s There? (1970)

15. Imaani – Where Are You? (1998)

16. Olivia Newton-John – Long Live Love (1974)

17. Daz Sampson – Teenage Life (2006)

18. Cliff Richard – Power to All Our Friends (1973)

19. Lucie Jones – Never Give Up on You (2017)

20. Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran – Rock Bottom (1977)

21. Love City Groove – Love City Groove (1995)

22. Blue – I Can (2011)

23. The Shadows – Let Me Be the One (1975)

24. Clodagh Rodgers – Jack in the Box (1971)

25. SuRie – Storm (2018)

26. Frances Ruffelle – Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free) (1994)

27. The Allisons – Are You Sure? (1961)

28. Molly – Children of the Universe (2014)

29. Jade Ewen – It’s My Time (2009)

30. Jessica Garlick – Come Back (2002)

31. Precious – Say It Again (1999)

32. James Newman – Embers (2021)

33. Sweet Dreams – I’m Never Giving Up (1983)

34. Co-Co – The Bad Old Days (1978)

35. Belle and the Devotions – Love Games (1984)

36. Scott Fitzgerald – Go (1988)

37. Samantha Janus – A Message to Your Heart (1991)

38. Jemini – Cry Baby (2003)

39. Electro Velvet – Still in Love with You (2015)

40. Bonnie Tyler – Believe in Me (2013)

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: BBC

Eurovision 2023: last batch of ticket on sale Monday April 24!

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Eurovision fans will have one more chance to buy tickets for Eurovision 2023.

The last batch of tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will go on sale on Monday, April 24.

BBC made the announcement on its different social media.  Fans are advised to buy the tickets only through the authorized channels.  Ticketmaster is in charge of selling the Eurovision 2023.  Fans can only buy tickets one show at a time.

And these are the costs of the tickets for each show:

  • Semi-Finals: Between £90 and £290
  • Grand Final: Between £160 and £380
  • Dress Rehearsals: Between £30 and £280

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more news about the Eurovision Song Contest 2023!

Eurovision 2023: BBC revealed details of the Three Live Shows!

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BBC has today revealed all the details of the three live show of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to be held in Liverpool, the United Kingdom.

Semi-Final One

The night of the first semi-final will open with a video of a young Liverpool boy crossing the city announcing to family, friends and neighbors (and special guests!!) that Eurovision has arrived in Liverpool.

Julia Sanina will perform “Маяк” by The Hardkiss. Маяк is the Ukrainian word for Lighthouse, and this interpretation is meant to symbolize in many ways how the United Kingdom is united through music with Ukraine by hosting the 2023 Contest on behalf of the winning country of 2022.

Rita Ora will perform a medley of her hits during the first semi-final voting process, as well as a world premiere of ‘Praising You’. Alyosha and Rebecca Fergusson will perform a cover of “Ordinary World” together.

Timur Myroshnychenko will provide highlights of the Opening Ceremony, while former contest hosts Måns Zelmerlöw (2016) and Filomena Cautela (2018) will continue with their Eurovision insights.

Semi-Final Two

A spoken word piece will open the Second Semi-Final talking about the history of the Eurovision Song Contest.

“Music Unites Generations” will be the interval act with Mariya Yaremchuk (Ukraine 2014) performing a medley of Ukrainian music. The piece will travel back in time and ends with OTOY, Zlata Dziunka and Mariya together.

In addition, a show called ‘Be Who You Wanna Be’ will celebrate how Eurovision is a place for everyone. Three drag performers will perform alongside a line-up of dancers made up of a spectrum of fans of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds.

Additionally, Timur and Graham Norton will appear on the show to discuss Saturday’s final night with the hosts.

Grand Final

As previously announced the contest will be opening with Kaluish Orchestra and ‘Voices of a New Generation’. During the flag parade past Ukrainain participants will remind viewers of how they have become Eurovision stars over the years.

In addition to the aforementioned details, there will also be video films of Junior Eurovision 2022 in Yerevan Armenia and Eurovision’s power to create music stars

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the developments around the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest!

Source: Eurovoix

An (extra) big change is coming to Eurovision 2023!

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After the many and important changes instituted in the voting system both in the semi-finals and the final, it seems that the viewers of the contest will experience another big change in Eurovision 2023!

According to what Lee Smithurst – lead producer of this year’s Eurovision – told at eurotrippodcast, viewers will experience an additional big change.

There is a big surprise coming. 

There’s no way we can talk about it at all!

The revelation about this big change was made in the discussion about graphics and led screens and what the presentation of the results will look like.

We just want to do something bold. It’s important to us that it didn’t look like other Eurovisions have looked. You never want to copy something that’s [been] done before or make graphics that look like the graphics before…I’m a flags fan, and colours of flags are important.

You can listen to the entire podcast below:

Will this big change have anything to do with the way the results are presented?

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments!

Eurovision 2023: Full lineup of Eurovision Village announced!

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Visit Liverpool has announced the full lineup of artists set to perform at this year’s Eurovision Village.

There are plenty of events planned at this year’s Eurovision Village, scheduled from 5 to 13 May, with live acts, dancers and many more every day.

The Eurovision Village at the Pier Head will have a capacity of 25,000 people who will be able to watch the contest live. Entering on all days will be ticket-free, with the exception of the final night, where there will be a £15 ticket.

The Eurovision Village will consist of the main stage, but also a special area called “Discover Ukraine”, which will be dedicated to Ukrainian creations.

The complete lineup of Eurovision Village is as follows:

  • May 5 – 17:00 – 23:00 – Welcome to Eurotopia

The Eurovision Village will open with a performance from last year’s  Eurovision winners, Kalush Orchestra.

  • May 6 – 10:30 -23:00 – A Royally Good Party

To mark the King’s Coronation, the Eurovision Village will offer live viewing of the event alongside a range of live performances from Eurovision acts.

  • May 7 – 12:00 till TBC – Firstival

The day will start with A children’s festival will occur with live performances and appearances from the BBC kid’s channels (CBBC and CBeebies) shows. Later local emerging artists presented by the LIMF academy will perform, including Ni Maxine and vocal harmony band Mic Lowry and the House Gospel Choir.

  • May 8 – 12:00 – 23:00 – This is Ukraine

Live performances with new music the BBC Introducing and a lineup of Ukrainian music from acts, including Antytila, Go_A, Alyona and Jerry Heil.

  • May 9 – 12:00 to 23:00 –  Night at the Opera and Semi-final 1

The day will start with the English National Oprea dose Eurovision, conducted by Stephen Bell and joined by former Eurovision contestants. This will be followed by a live screening of Semi-Final 1.

  • May 10 – 12:00 to 23:00 – United by Music

The National Lottery presents United by Music. Live performances from break-out stars and music icons, including Michael Aldag, The Lightening Seeds, Miles Kane and Girls Don’t Sync.

  • May 11 – 12:00 to 23:00 – Jamala presents QIRIM and Semi-final 2

2016 Eurovision winner Jamala will premiere her new album QIRIM, inspired by the folk songs of Jamala’s native Crimea.  The BBC Philharmonic will join the singer orchestra. A live showing of semi-final 2 will also take place.

  • May 12 – 12:00 to Midnight – EuroEve

The stage will be used for Tik Tok’s Eurovision Legends, while later in the day, an all-female lineup will feature live performances from acts such as Sophie Ellis and other pop stars. Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon will perform its very last show at this event.

  • May 13  – 14:00- 02:00 – Eurovision 2023 Final

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be shown live. The preshow will include acts such as Katrina (Katrina and the Waves) and The Vengaboys. This is the only ticketed event in the Eurovision Village.

You can watch the EurovisionFun team, reacting to the song representing the United Kingdom in Eurovision 2023:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the XX participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Source: BBC και Visit Liverpool

Eurovision 2023: Guest artists of the Grand Final revealed!

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Today the BBC has confirmed the line-up of the guest stars in the Grand Final. Last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra, runner up Sam Ryder, and established Eurovision icons – joining the 26 acts competing in the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on May 13.

The Grand Final for this year’s Contest will open with last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra and a powerful performance titled ‘Voices of a New Generation’. Kalush Orchestra captured the hearts of Eurovision viewers around the world last year – they’re back to kick off the 2023 Grand Final with a performance that’s sure to be unforgettable including their smash hit winning song Stefania.

During the Eurovision Flag Parade of all 26 Grand Finalists, viewers will be treated to a unique performance by some iconic past Ukrainian Eurovision contestants. GO_A, Jamala, Tina Karol, and Verka Serduchka take to the stage and remind us their Eurovision entries.

For the first interval performance, during which voting across Europe and the world takes place, the UK’s very own spaceman Sam Ryder will make his triumphant return to the Eurovision stage after leading the UK’s biggest success in last year’s Contest for over two decades.

The final interval act “The Liverpool Songbook”, is a celebration of the host city’s incredible contribution to the world of pop music. The BBC have brought together six iconic past Eurovision acts – Italy’s Mahmood, Israel’s Netta, Iceland’s Daði Freyr, Sweden’s Cornelia Jakobs, Duncan Laurence from the Netherlands – plus Liverpool’s very own Sonia, celebrating 30 years since she came second at Eurovision in 1993.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, says: “What a way to bring in the winner of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. These live performances, with their twists on iconic Eurovision moments and countless creative collaborations, will ensure that we’re in for an utterly unforgettable Grand Final!”

Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra say: “We’ve been looking forward to performing in Liverpool ever since it was announced as host last year. The city has a world-renowned musical heritage and we’re delighted to finally be able to announce what an honour it will be for us to be there.

“While we’re sad that we couldn’t bring the Eurovision Song Contest back to our home country, we’re really grateful to the UK for hosting this party on our behalf. We will perform for everyone in Ukraine to remind us that better days and our country’s victory is ahead, as well as to show the world what Ukraine is fighting for.”

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: BBC

UK: BBC asks Mae Muller to focus on her singing and leave politics!

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The BBC people are asking this year’s representative for the country in the contest, Mae Muller, to focus in the next month until Eurovision 2023 only on the song and leave any political comments.

The BBC asks to avoid political comments

British public television bosses have issued guidelines to Mae Muller on what’s allowed and what’s not, ahead of next month’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool.

Mae Muller who took the media by storm a few days ago with what I had posted on her Twitter account about former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Deputies of the ruling party, as well as conservative media, criticized the 25-year-old singer for what she had posted on her social networks.

In one of her tweets, which many readers criticized as unacceptable, the singer said she “doesn’t feel sorry for Boris Johnson” and that she “has no sympathy for him”. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized at the time due to Covid.

Mae Muller against JK Rowling this time

Commenting on a photo of Harry Potter author JK Rowling holding a sign that read: “Get your hands off my f****** rights”, the young singer said:

Not transphobic talking about rights, what’s going on here.

Mae Muller

Earlier Mae Muller had described JK Rowling a defender of women’s rights and against the trans movement, as annoying.

People from Mae Muller’s record company confirmed to the press that the BBC asked the artist to only deal with the song and her participation in the upcoming contest and not with politics.

Both the BBC and her managers are acutely aware of the need for her not to be known for her controversial statements, rather than for good music.

Mae Muller has not hidden her political beliefs, since in the last election she publicly expressed her support for the Labor Party.

It should be noted that the United Kingdom’s Eurovision song is not political in nature. Also, the political statements and activism that artists make outside of the competition do not affect the non-political character of Eurovision.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: dailymail

United Kingdom: Listen to the acoustic version of “I Wrote a Song” by Mae Muller!

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The representative of the United Kingdom in Eurovision 2023, Mae Muller, released an acoustic version of her song “I Wrote a Song”, on her personal YouTube channel.

Listen to the acoustic version of “I Wrote a Song” by Mae Muller below:

The United Kingdom, as part of the Big 5, automatically qualifies for the Grand Final on May 13 and to be exact, it will be the closing act of the competition part of the night, as Mae will perform 26th in the running order.

You can watch the reaction of our editors, enjoying the British entry for Eurovision 2023:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the British participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Greece: Victor Vernicos films Eurovision 2023 Postcard!

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The next representative to film his postacard is no other than Victor Vernicos, the Greek representative at Eurovision 2023, who was selected internally to compete with the song “What They Say“.

Victor shot his postcard showing the gorgeous Greek scenery in Sounion, overlooking the Aegean sea and the Poseidon Temple!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision)

The following acts have confirmed the filming of their postcards:

  • Albania – Albina & Familija Kelmendi
  • Austria – Teya & Salena
  • Croatia – Let 3
  • Cyprus – Andrew Lambrou
  • France – La Zarra
  • Germany – Lord of the Lost
  • Ireland – Wild Youth
  • Latvia – Sudden Lights
  • Lithuania – Monika Linkytė
  • Malta – The Busker
  • Moldova – Pasha Parfeni
  • The Netherlands – Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper
  • Poland – Blanka
  • Slovenia – Joker Out
  • Romania – Theodor Andrei
  • Belgium – Gustaph
  • Estonia – Alika
  • Greece – Victor Vernicos

Victor is competing eighth at Second Semi-Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, in May 11, 2023.

Watch Victor perform “What They Say” live, for the first time in front of audience down on the video below:

You can watch the reaction of the editors of Eurovisionfun, reacting and commenting on the Greek entry for Eurovision 2023 below:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Greek participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Eurovision 2023: Opening and Interval Acts of the two Semi-Finals!

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The BBC has announced an impressive lineup of musical talent involved in the live performances we’ll be watching at the two Semi-Finals of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

A mixture of Ukrainian and British performers will perform during the opening and intervals of the semi-finals of Eurovision 2023. The BBC and UA:PBC are currently working on the staging of the Ukrainian performers, in particular the director and creative director of Eurovision 2023 Herman Nenov. He stated:

“In all three shows we announced the maximum number of Ukrainian artists that can be shown. The topics of the performances, and the accents we place, are large layers of not only musical, but also social nature. I am very grateful to the BBC team for everything we have done together. I’ll be honest: this is probably the most comfortable collaboration in my career. I have never seen such understanding and respect for the ideas of each team member! My main task was to create a multifaceted, very honest and true portrait of today’s Ukraine for Eurovision viewers. And together in collaboration with the BBC, we managed to do it!”

First Semi-Final

To mark the start of the Eurovision Song Contest, the First Semi-Final will open with host Julia Sanina performing part of Маяк by her band The Hardkiss. Translating from the Ukrainian for ‘Lighthouse’, this performance – forming part of an incredibly powerful opening act – will symbolise in many ways how the UK is ‘United by Music’ with Ukraine, through hosting the 2023 Contest on behalf of the 2022 winners.

During the interval, British singer Rita Ora will sing a medley of her past hits and will also perform a brand new song, called “Praising You”. Alyosha, who represented Ukraine in 2010, will perform “Ordinary World” with Liverpool-born singer Rebecca Ferguson. This performance will tell the story of hope, courage and support of the people of Ukraine from all over the world and is called “Welcome to our home”.

Second Semi-Final

Mariya Yaremchuk, who represented Ukraine in 2014, will open the second semi-final with a medley of famous Ukrainian music. The performance is called “Music unites generations”. At the end of her performance, Mariya will be joined by rapper OTOY and Zlata Dziunka, who represented Ukraine at Junior Eurovision 2022.

Also in the interval, a performance called Be Who You Wanna Be celebrates how Eurovision is a place for everyone – no matter who you are. Three extraordinary drag performers lead into a jaw-dropping routine of high-end pop performances along with a troupe of eclectic dancers. They represent the huge spectrum of fans – regardless of age, nationality or background – who revel in being a part of the Eurovision Song Contest every year. With a medley of fabulous songs and incredible staging, it’ll be a performance that viewers remember.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news about Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool!

source/photo: eurovisiontv