As the colourful crowd at Bristol Pride 2022 awaited headliner Carly Rae Jepsen, Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, flashed up on the screen. Opening with an optimistic, "Hello Pride, this is Bristol calling!", Rees spoke to the large crowd to launch his bid for the city to become the 'caretaker' for 2023's Eurovision.
2022 Eurovision winners, Ukraine, has announced it is unable to host next year's celebrations, as the conflict with Russia is still ongoing. The BBC has been asked to take on the highly-popular televised event and singing contest - and it could be an opportunity to put Bristol on the map.
Mr Rees stated hosting in Bristol would be a chance for the city to "come together again" and encouraged Pride attendees to "Tell the world how much you want Bristol to be the next home of Eurovision using our hashtag #ThisIsBristolCalling." But whilst no one disputes the idea that a Bristolian Eurovision would be a great spectacle, is it actually, truly possible - or is it just a glass-half-full pipe dream?
Read more: Everything Marvin Rees said to launch Bristol's bid to host Eurovision 2023
Our Facebook followers have taken to a lively debate over Bristol's bid to be the 'next home of Eurovision'. With the proposed venue the yet-to-be-built YTL Arena in Filton, and the cost of living biting the city, many have reservations.
Jason MacManus took to Bristol Live's Facebook comments to express his incredulity at the local Eurovision bid. He said, "Lovely idea, and if it happened it would be brilliant - but how? Eurovision requires 10,000 capacity - minimum - and certain proximity to an international airport or good transport links to one. It also requires enough hotels for all the crew, commentators, entrants and fans, within close proximity to the venue.
"The only roofed venue large enough in Bristol is the YTL Arena, which is not opening until 2024. How can they push it and open it by February 2023 in time to set the stage up and do rehearsals?"
Dan Hicks feels similarly about the logistics of hosting. "The arena hasn't even finished being built yet. The completion date is set for 2024!
"The criteria for hosting Eurovision is very complex. In the UK, there are only a handful of indoor arenas that have a capacity of more than 10,000 - and my guess would be Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow to host."
Facebook user, Andrew Lee, shared his frustration at the bid. He said, "People can't get the benefits they're entitled to, the NHS is underfunded as always, public services are being axed and there are transport cutbacks... and yet we can afford to stage a competition we didn't even win?" And Hazel Smith couldn't resist a poke of fun at Bristol's transport system, commenting, "Will they all be arriving by bike? As Bristol is a no-go area for transport these days."
However, amongst the naysayers, there are some Bristolians who are embracing the possibility of a South West-hosted Eurovision. Steve Day tweeted, "Let's get behind this, Bristol! It's a win-win for the UK's most inclusive city!" Eurovision is an inclusive celebration of music, identities and cultures - something Bristol embraces.
Andrew Scott echoed Day's excitement. He said, "We in Bristol love Eurovision as much, if not more, than the rest of England. Ashton Gate would be a great place to hold it. We've had loads of sell-out gigs there like Muse and The Killers."
Half-built arenas and public transport woes aside, Facebook user Helen Arnold shared an important sentiment. "If it does happen, we need a Eurovision party!"
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