The Eurovision Song Contest final is nearly here as fans around the world descend into Liverpool for an evening of music, fun and much more.
After TikTok star Sam Ryder bagged second place with his song SPACE MAN last year, there's high hopes for this year's UK entry; Mae Muller, who is set to perform I Wrote A Song.
Both the semi-finals went off with a bang this as Rita Ora performed a medley of her greatest hits – while Alesha Dixon reminded fans of her incredible rapping talent on Tuesday while Thursday's semi-final saw the acts confirmed to be competing for the Eurovision crown.
So, as we get ready to cheer on Mae on Saturday, here's the lowdown on all things Eurovison.
What is the Eurovision final running order?
There are 26 acts performing on Saturday night. The running order is decided by a draw.
The UK is performing last this year, with many left complaining over the placement as a 'fix' as it's thought to be the trickiest spot to perform in.
The running order for tis year's competition is as follows:
- Austria: Teya & Salena - Who The Hell Is Edgar?
- Portugal: Mimicat - Ai Coração
- Switzerland: Remo Forrer - Watergun
- Poland: Blanka - Solo
- Serbia: Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava
- France: La Zarra - Évidemment
- Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou - Break A Broken Heart
- Spain: Blanca Paloma - Eaea
- Sweden: Loreen - Tattoo
- Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi - Duje
- Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite
- Estonia: Alika - Bridges
- Finland: Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha
- Czechia: Vesna - My Sister's Crown
- Australia: Voyager - Promise
- Belgium: Gustaph - Because Of You
- Armenia: Brunette - Future Lover
- Moldova: Pasha Parfeni - Soarele şi Luna
- Ukraine: TVORCHI - Heart of Steel
- Norway: Alessandra - Queen of Kings
- Germany: Lord of the Lost - Blood & Glitter
- Lithuania: Monika Linkytė - Stay
- Israel: Noa Kirel - Unicorn
- Slovenia: Joker Out - Carpe Diem
- Croatia: Let 3 - Mama ŠČ!
- United Kingdom: Mae Muller - I Wrote A Song
Why did the UK automatically qualify for the grand final?
As part of the Eurovision's guidelines, there are a selection of "big five" countries which automatically qualify for the grand final.
The big five countries are those who make the biggest financial contribution to the competition.
A statement on Eurovision website reads: "The Big Five are the Participating Broadcasters from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – the group of countries who via their broadcasters make the biggest financial contribution towards the organisation of the contest."
In 2023, the UK government pledged £10million for the competition.
Why is Liverpool chosen host city?
Ukraine won Eurovision last year, meaning the nation faced the prospect of hosting the show in 2023, according to the rules of the competition.
However, due to the Russian invasion, it wasn't possible, as Eurovision organisers quickly ruled out staging it in the war-torn country.
The BBC agreed to host the competition in the UK in 2023 – and Liverpool was picked as the host city to hold the star-studded event.
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Beating a shortlist of other UK cities, including Manchester, Glasgow and Sheffield, the song contest will take place in Liverpool Arena next to the River Mersey.
Speaking about why the city had been chosen, BBC’s Director General, Tim Davie, said: "Congratulations to Liverpool. They will be an amazing host for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Liverpool is such an exciting, warm and vibrant city.
"It’s the undisputed capital of pop music and is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its twinning with the Ukrainian city of Odesa.
"I know the people of Liverpool will welcome Europe – and the rest of the world – with open arms, and in partnership we will create something truly special."
Who is representing the UK?
Last year, Sam Ryder took second place with 466 points after an epic performance of his track SPACE MAN so this year's entry has big shoes to fill.
Mae Muller, 25, is stepping up to the plate and will be representing the UK with her catchy tune I Wrote A Song.
She co-wrote the track alongside Brit Award nominated songwriter Lewis Thompson and Karen Poole, who has penned tracks for Kylie Minogue, Lily Allen and more.
Mae previously said of the catchy bop: "After you go through a breakup, whether it’s a relationship or friendship, when you’ve been hurt it’s really easy to want revenge.
"I thought, 'how can I take something negative and turn it into something positive that you want to sing and dance to'."
Star-studded semi-finals
The first of the semi-finals went off with a bang last night as Alesha Dixon rapped and Rita Ora performed a medley of her greatest hits.
It was a full-circle moment for the RIP star after she turned down the opportunity to represent the UK in Eurovision 14 years ago.
Fans loved her renditions of Ritual, I Will Never Let You and Anywhere as well as her single Praising You.
As the show kicked off, host Julia Sanina addressed the audience in her native language, Ukrainian.
She later went on to thank "beautiful Liverpool" for welcoming Ukraine and its people "with open arms".
Julia added that the show has "come back to its own roots" as the competition has shown support for Ukraine following Putin's invasion.
Countries including Croatia, Portugal and Sweden qualified for the final after performing and will go on to strut their stuff on Saturday.
However, despite having won the contest a record-breaking seven times, Ireland is out.
The second semi-final is took place on Thursday, with six countries booted from the competition.
Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Romania, Georgia, and San Marino all lost out on a place in the final after Thursday's performances.
During the epic semi-final performances, Slovenia's entry wowed as a group of "Harry Styles impersonators" performed to represent their country.
Band Joker Out represented Slovenia with their song Carpe Diem while many fans were left distracted by their uncanny similarity to the One Direction star.
One viewer asked: "Slovenia have sent a band of harry styles impersonators????"
"I think Slovenia’s Harry Styles will qualify tonight," another commented.
One fan said: "If Harry Styles was from Slovenia, this would be him. Brb gonna add Carpe Diem to my playlist asap."
UK Mae Muller's odds
With her catchy track I Wrote A Song, fans are excited about Mae Muller's odds.
The north London-raised singer, 25, will be the first female entrant for the UK since SuRie competed in 2018 with Storm – coming in 24th place.
Her up-beat Eurovision banger is actually a diss track, which tells a story of an ex-boyfriend.
"I was really annoyed at this guy. I wanted to do something crazy, maybe burn his house down, I don't know," Mae told followers on TikTok,
In terms of her chances winning the contest on Saturday, the star has odds of 33/1.
Who will be hosting Eurovision?
Graham Norton will be on main hosting duties, but will be joined by Britain's Got Talent's Alesha Dixon, Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
They will be joined by X Factor star Rylan Clarke, who joked he was so nervous about presenting the gig, he thought he might die.
Speaking on the Lorraine show, he said: "I might die. The shoes are that high," the TV star joked while chatting to the Scottish host.
The much-loved star was forced to pull out of covering the competition on behalf of the BBC back in 2021 as he was so devastated by his split from Dan Neal.
However, Rylan credited Eurovision with helping him through his break-up.
He said flying out to Italy for last year's show was just what he needed to help him through the tough time.
Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, he said: "Last year I needed to get away from the UK and the Eurovision bubble was perfect for that.
"It was what I needed on a personal level. Being there was a full circle moment for me. It was like, 'I’m back, I’m ready to go'.
"That’s why Eurovision is so important to me. If you cut me open, it’s there."
Catherine Tate will be dishing out the points
Comedian Catherine Tate has been given the honour of revealing how many points the UK has awarded the other countries.
Speaking about the epic responsibility, she said: "It’s very exciting to be announcing the iconic 'douze points' at Eurovision.
"It’s just a foot in the door really as next year I hope to be the UK entrant," she joked.
In a break with tradition, the 53-year-old will be the first-ever UK spokesperson who will announce the National Jury scores live from the same arena where the actual contest is taking place.
Which country is likely to win?
Heading into the live shows, the bookies marked out a frontrunner in the competition.
Singer Loreen, who is representing Sweden with her song Tattoo, previously took home the Eurovision trophy in 2012.
Her winning track “Euphoria” remains one of the most popular Eurovision songs of all time.
However, following her performance yesterday, Loreen has had her odds cut to 8/15.
With odds of 5/2, Finland could spring a surprise or there's a 17/2 shot that Ukraine makes it back-to-back successes.
Jessica O'Reilly of Ladbrokes said: "The results of the first semi-final have left Mae in a much better position and her odds of winning Eurovision have been slashed accordingly."
We can't wait for Saturday!
