Residents across the North East will be eager to find out if County Durham has been successfully selected as the 2025 City of Culture this evening, when the results land after long and hard-fought campaigns.
On Tuesday night, the region will watch in anticipation as the The One Show on BBC reveals the results, announcing who will take home 2025's coveted honour.
County Durham is up against Wrexham, Bradford and Southampton in their City of Culture bid, with each location having the chance to showcase their culture and diversity nationwide from 7pm onwards.
Read more: County Durham’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid moves a step closer after making shortlist
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport will then announce the winner live on the programme, determining if County Durham have been successful in their endeavours.
Ahead of the announcement itself tonight, Chronicle Live have done the research to answer all of the questions you may have regarding tonight's ceremony.
Where can I watch the results?
The winner of the bid will be announced live on BBC One's The One Show tonight at 7pm, with Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) expected to reveal the winner.
Who are Durham up against and have they got a good chance?
County Durham was shortlisted for the award in March 2021, alongside Bradford, Southampton and Wrexham who all in their own right hope that they have done enough to have the nod in their favour.
A record 20 initial bids were submitted for 2025's award, before being whittled down to the last standing four.
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council believes that Durham has a great chance of securing victory - and also sees an exciting and prosperous future for the county should they reign supreme.
She said: "“Securing this title would place our extraordinary people and places at the heart of an unforgettable and inclusive programme of events and activities. It would attract more visitors, boost our economy and strengthen our reputation nationally and internationally as a place to live, work, visit and invest – all of which are crucial for levelling up.
“County Durham’s bid recognises all of this, and we are proud it incorporates the ideas and ambitions of hundreds of residents, creative practitioners and cultural organisations. It is thanks to them that we have made it this far and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has backed the Durham 2025 campaign.
"Together, we can bring this title home to County Durham.”
What will a victory for Durham mean?
More visitors are expected to come to Durham should it be successful in its City of Culture bid, boosting the local economy and creating more opportunities for local residents.
The reputation of the already renowned county would also be substantially brightened, with Durham achieving a national and international status as a fantastic place to live, work and visit.
Finally, the winner of the bid will also receive millions of pounds in additional funding and investment from the Government according to their website - in a bid to help regenerate the area.
Has Durham ever won the City of Culture before?
County Durham has never been successful in its City of Culture bid, however, neither has any part of the region.
The closest that a location in the North East of England has come to achieving City of Culture status was Sunderland - which was shortlisted for 2021 award in 2017 alongside Paisley, Stoke on Trent, Swansea and Coventry.
Unfortunately it was beaten by Coventry in the ceremony itself. If Durham is successful in its efforts tonight, it will be the first North East location to achieve City of Culture status.
Since Coventry won City of Culture in 2021 - more than £172 million was invested into various programmes, as well as building works and public transportation. According to ITV - more than £500 million as also been invested in city regeneration since being awarded the highly sought after status.
Do you think that Durham have a good chance of taking home the prestigious honour?
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