Local "legend" Ricky Tomlinson stirred the Eurovision crowd into a delighted, emotional frenzy with a passionate speech made up of Liverpool lyrics at the National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome event.
The huge event, which took place on Sunday, May 7, helped kick off the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with a bang, with performers including Atomic Kitten, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Lightning Seeds, The Vivienne and more.
The spectacle took over the iconic St George's Plateau and proved just how ready Liverpool is to welcome and host the beloved song writing extravaganza on Ukraine's behalf.
READ MORE: Five magic moments that show Eurovision in Liverpool is amazing already
The Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson, 83, took to the stage with a passionate poem penned by Rainhill-born screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce, which moved the crowd to tears. The poem was made up entirely of lyrics from songs with a connection to Liverpool, with the writer dubbing it "more of a puzzle than a poem".
As expected, Ricky had the audience in the palm of his hand as he delivered the reading, getting more and more impassioned as he went on. For the final line - "love is all you need" - the veteran actor pumped his arms in the air to rapturous applause.
The highlights of the show were aired on BBC One on Monday, May 8, with some viewers moved to tears. Many took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.
Viewer Lucy said: "I didn't cry at the Coronation but I just cried at Ricky Tomlinson doing a rousing speech on Eurovision Welcomes the World".
Liam said: "Just watched Eurovision Welcomes The World. Great to see Holly Johnson and Frankie Goes To Hollywood back on stage but it was Ricky Tomlinson who stole the show for me. What a legend."
Stephen commented: "Just watched Ricky Tomlinson giving a masterclass in passion and the Liverpool [singing] choir [singing] All you need is love. What an amazing production".
Marcas said: "I saw Ricky Tomlinson deliver this last night and it was a brilliant, passionate delivery, very moving. It's on @BBC tonight at 6.30pm . Written by @frankcottrell_b it also name checks @kylieminogue which is an added bit of sparkle to this special piece."
Kerry said: "It was beautiful and Ricky Tomlinson's delivery superb. Brought a lump to my throat." Karen added: "Beautiful & emotional Ricky Tomlinson delivers powerfully evocative poem - hard not to cry Congratulations Ricky Tomlinson & @frankcottrell_b @bbceurovision".
Ricky also spoke to the Liverpool ECHO at The National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome party. The 83-year-old recently returned to Brookside as Bobby Grant ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Speaking about Eurovision coming to Liverpool, Ricky said he was going to "take the atmosphere in" and was ecstatic when it was announced it would be hosted in the city.
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