The presenting line-up for this year's Eurovision Song Contest has been announced.
The 2023 competition will be broadcast across the world from Liverpool, on behalf of last year's winners Ukraine. All eyes will be on Liverpool this summer, with the Grand Final taking place on Saturday May 13.
Some 160 million people are expected to tune in and see which country is crowned victorious. On Wednesday (February 22), the BBC confirmed the famous faces who have the honour of presenting the programmes.
Eurovision veteran Graham Norton will be back to present the Grand Final, alongside Ukrainian singer and frontwoman of The HARDKISS alternative band, Julia Sanina. Emmy Award-winning actress Hannah Waddingham and singer and presenter Alesha Dixon will also be hosting the show.
Graham and comedian Mel Giedroyc will take turns in the commentary box, dishing out their witty thoughts during the final.
Both semi-finals, taking place on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May, will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for the first time in UK history. Julia, Hannah and Alesha will be fronting the highly-anticipated shows while radio DJs and Eurovision experts, Scott Mills and Rylan will be on commentary duties.
Meanwhile Ukrainian broadcaster Timur Miroshnychenko will be the Eurovision Correspondent in Liverpool, appearing in VT inserts during the live shows as well as giving live insights from Ukraine’s commentary box in the Liverpool Arena. Alongside Liverpudlian presenter, Sam Quek, he will front the Opening Ceremony live stream on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.
A special commentary team will also run on BBC Radio Merseyside, including Claire Sweeney and the winner of The Voice of Eurovision talent search, currently underway to discover new Scouse talent.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, says: “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 thing that truly unites us all is music, and we’re proud to have a team - who are well accustomed to the worlds of music, performing and live broadcasting - as part of our Eurovision presenting family.
"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.”
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