The hosts for this year’s Eurovision song contest have been announced by the BBC – and they include an Emmy-winning comic actor. Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham will form part of a presenting trio with Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, and will anchor both the semi-finals and the grand final. For the main event, they will be joined by Graham Norton.
“There’s something really special about Eurovision,” said Waddingham. “It’s one of the world’s greatest music festivals, but this year, perhaps more than ever, it is such a great honour to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, a country which has carried itself with such strength and unity. It is my great privilege to join Eurovision this year of all years.”
Due to Norton sharing presenting duties with Waddingham, Dixon and Sanina, he will be joined for the first time by a co-commentator. Mel Giedroyc – who has previously been involved in the BBC’s semi-final coverage – will share voiceover duties.
“Alongside presenting the grand final to the world, I just couldn’t resist the opportunity to get back into the commentary box for those watching in the UK,” said Norton.
“I’ve been a fan of Eurovision since I was knee-high to Lulu and we are all in for a real treat come May,” said Giedroyc. “I’m looking forward to taking one of the best seats in the house and bringing the Eurovision banter with Mr Norton to those watching from their Eurovision parties in the UK.”
The BBC expect 160 million viewers to watch the competition globally. The UK is hosting the song contest on behalf of Ukraine as a result of Russia’s invasion, with the BBC stepping in for Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC. They have claimed that the cost of hosting the competition will be somewhere between £8m and £17m.
Ukrainian musician Sanina will appear on Wednesday’s One Show to discuss her appearance on the presenting team. She is a judge on Ukraine’s version of the X-Factor and in 2016, her band, the Hardkiss, took part in the national selection for the Eurovision song contest and placed second overall.
She forms part of a trio of female musicians in this year’s Eurovision presenting team, with Dixon having had seven consecutive Top 10 singles as part of chart-topping band, Mis-Teeq. Waddingham is also a successful musical theatre star, having been nominated for three Olivier awards and having starred in West End and Broadway musicals including Spamalot, The Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods, Kiss Me Kate and Space Family Robinson.
Tickets will be on sale soon for the Eurovision final on 13 May and nine separate shows that fans will be able to attend, including rehearsals. Further information about their release date is expected in the coming weeks.
