Liverpool was tonight unveiled as the host of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest next year - and the reaction in Manchester was, well, mixed.
The 2023 host city should have been in Ukraine after Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra triumphed at the 2022 competition in Turin. But the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the annual event, decided the show could not safely be held in the country following Russia’s invasion.
As the British entry, Spaceman by Sam Ryder, came second in the 2022 contest, the UK was chosen to host the music extravaganza for ninth time, more than any other country.
Manchester was among a host of UK cities to put its name forward but last month the city learned it would not host the event after the shortlist was whittled down to two. Today our north west neighbours Liverpool beat Glasgow to host the event.
On the M.E.N's Facebook page, the comments quickly topped one thousand. Many congratulated Liverpool on their prize but others were, it's fair to say, less generous.
"Well done Liverpool," wrote Lesley Whittaker while Theresa Bowerbank posted: "Only result possible. Home of the Beatles and Cilla Black. Great news for the North West."
Kellie Rixon wrote 'Yeah well done Liverpool, home of music', and David Gillet said: "I love both cities for their great music." Mick McNamee wrote: "Well done to our Northwest neighbours (and rivals!)"
Mary Currie said: "Awwwww. Sad for my Glasgow!! Good luck though Liverpool. You'll smash it."
There were plenty of other comments in a similar vein.
Other, more barbed comments, however, referenced the football rivalry between the two cities, with more than one joking that they hoped the acts didn't arrive by coach, a reference to the Man City coach being attacked by Liverpool fans ahead of a Champions League clash at Anfield in 2018.
"They only think they'll be winning this season," posted Paul Hardy.
"We will never hear the end of it," wrote Laura May.
Kalush Orchestra, Ukrainian's triumphant entry from last year, endorsed Liverpool's normination, saying: "We are very pleased that next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool. Though we haven’t had the privilege of visiting yet, the musical heritage of the city is known all over the world. Playing in the same place that The Beatles started out will be a moment we’ll never forget!
"Although we are sad that next year’s competition cannot take place in our homeland, we know that the people of Liverpool will be warm hosts and the organisers will be able to add a real Ukrainian flavour to Eurovision 2023 in this city."
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