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.
