The BBC has revealed the two U.K cities left in the running to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year.
It's between Liverpool and Glasgow to battle it out for the honour when the annual competition rolls around in less than 10 months time, with the BBC providing an update on the bidding process an update on the bidding process this afternoon - revealing Manchester, who many had considered the favourite to win, has been knocked out.
Prior to the announcement, presenter Sally Nugent teased BBC Breakfast viewers earlier in the day [September 27], saying: "This morning, listen very carefully to what I’m saying, ahead of an expected update from our BBC entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson we’re going to be looking at the situation in Manchester."
Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield joined Manchester on the shortlist of potential cities to host the Eurovision Song Contest for 2023 in place of Ukraine, following the U.K's 2022 entry Sam Ryder coming second in the annual competition in May.
After taking a look at how Manchester was hoping to secure the contest, Sally, 51, went on to add: "As we said earlier, later on today we are expecting an update from the BBC – as soon as we know, you will know."
"Thanks to all seven cities across the UK who have demonstrated the enthusiasm and passion for Eurovision that exists right across the UK. We were incredibly impressed by the quality and creativity of all the city bids, in what was a highly competitive field," Phil Harrold, the chair of the BBC’s Host City Selection Committee, said in a press release updating Eurovision fans this afternoon.
"The Eurovision Song Contest is a very complex event and Liverpool and Glasgow have the strongest overall offer; we will continue our discussions with them to determine the eventual host city.
"We are determined to make the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest one that both reflects the winning position of Ukraine and is also an event that all of the UK can participate in."
Further discussions will now take place with officials from Glasgow and Liverpool and a final decision will be made within weeks.
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra were crowned champions of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Italy earlier this year, with their winning song Stefania narrowly beating U.K entry Sam and his catchy tune, Space Man.
Although the winning nation usually hosts the following year's contest, in the midst of their victory it was quickly decided due to the war with Russia, runners-up Britain would take over their duties - leading to a hotly-contested selection process between UK cities in their bids to attract thousands of visitors from across Europe.
Five of the shortlisted cities were located in the north of England, with Glasgow Scotland's only shortlisted bid and none further south than Birmingham. No cities from Wales or Northern Ireland made the final shortlist.
As the shortlist was announced, Nadine Dorries, the former U.K Culture Secretary, said that the country was "determined to deliver a competition which reflects Ukraine's rich culture and creativity" and added that "no matter which [city] is chosen it will be a fantastic event to make both the UK and Ukraine proud".
The BBC's director of unscripted content Kate Phillips added: "We are committed to delivering a truly unique Song Contest that celebrates wonderful Ukraine and champions British music and creativity in all its diversity."
Sam's second place success in May marked the country's best result since 1998 - with the U.K making the top ten for the first time since since Jade Ewen came fifth in 2009. Over recent years, Britain's entries have often failed to impress the rest of Europe - coming last in both 2019 and 2021.
Graham Norton, who presented the contest on BBC One. said of Sam's surprising success at the time: "This is a red letter moment. I am so happy for [Sam], for the UK and for the BBC who have worked so hard to turn our fortunes."
