The eyes of the world will be on Liverpool tonight as the first Eurovision semi final is broadcast live from the M&S Bank Arena. Fans at the venue and a global TV audience will see entries from 15 countries perform their songs in the hope of making it through to the Eurovision Grand Final on Saturday night.
The show will open with a heart-warming video featuring the city's preparations to host the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of last year's winner, Ukraine, while the country remains at war with Russia. It includes an emotional post-humous appearance from the late Paul O'Grady, alongside more famous faces from in and around Merseyside including TV baker Paul Hollywood, actor Ricky Tomlinson and Drag Race UK star Sister Sister.
As well as the official acts representing the competing countries, audiences will also be treated to performances from a line up of some of the biggest British and Ukrainian acts including Rita Ora, Julia Sanina, Alyosha and Liverpool's very own Rebecca Ferguson.
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A preview show is taking place at the 11,000 capacity arena this afternoon before the televised event this evening. Here's everything you need to know about today's events.
What time is the Eurovision semi final, how can I watch live and who are the hosts?
The BBC is broadcasting the Eurovision semi final tonight (Tuesday May 9) with live coverage on BBC One and iPlayer from 8pm. The running time is two hours and 10 minutes. There'll also be a live stream via the Eurovision Song Contest YouTube Channel.
The semi-finals will be presented by Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina and Hannah Waddingham, and viewers can look forward to commentary from Rylan Clark and Scott Mills.
The second semi-final takes place on Thursday May 11 at 8pm and will feature the same broadcasting line up from the BBC.
Eurovision Graham Norton will join the presenting line up for the Grand Final on Saturday May 13 and will also step into the commentary box alongside Mel Giedroyc.
Which countries are in Eurovision semi final 1, what is the running order and how do the semi-finals work?
The full list of countries competing in the Eurovision semi final tonight, the song and act representing them, and the running order in which they will perform is as follows:
- Norway: Queen of Kings - Alessandra
- Malta: Dance (Our Own Party) - The Busker
- Serbia: Samo mi se spava - Luke Black
- Latvia: Aijā - Sudden Lights
- Portugal: Ai Coração - Mimicat
- Ireland: We Are One - Wild Youth
- Croatia: Mama ŠČ! - Let 3
- Switzerland: Watergun - Remo Forrer
- Israel: Unicorn - Noa Kirel
- Moldova: Soarele și Luna - Pasha Parfeni
- Sweden: Tattoo - Loreen
- Azerbaijan: Tell Me More - TuralTuranX
- Czechia: My Sister's Crown - Vesna
- Netherlands: Burning Daylight - Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper
- Finland: Cha Cha Cha - Käärijä
Pre-recorded footage of performances from France, Germany and Italy - who are among the 'Big Five' acts that automatically qualify for the finals each year, along with the previous year's winner - will also be played to the audience in the arena and at home.
The 10 highest-scoring acts from the countries competing in tonight's semi-final will go on to the Grand Final, along with 10 more finalists from Thursday's second semi final.
Who are the Eurovision semi final 1 interval acts and what is the running order?
Representing the theme of 'United by Music' , the line up of opening and interval acts celebrates the musical ties between the UK and Ukraine.
Opening the show will be host Julia Sanina, performing part of her Ukrainian rock band The Hardkiss's song Маяк in what promises to be a powerful curtain-raiser.
At the first interval, Rita Ora will take the stage with a medley of her biggest hits and a world exclusive of her new single Praising You.
Ukrainian singer and former Eurovision contestant Alyosha will also perform alongside Liverpool’s very own Rebecca Ferguson. Through a haunting new arrangement of Duran Duran's Ordinary World, they will share Alyosha's personal journey of leaving her home country to escape the ongoing war with Russia and present a story of hope, courage and support for the people of Ukraine from around the world.
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