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Simon Duke

BBC Eurovision coverage dates, time and channels as Contest 'takes over' schedules

The BBC are going bigger than ever with Eurovision this year, with the contest's semi finals being bumped up to BBC One for the first time ever and Eurovision take overs of popular shows like Bargain Hunt, Pointless and even EastEnders.

There are now just a few weeks to go until the Eurovision Song Contest takes over Liverpool, as the UK pick up the baton from last year's winner's Ukraine to stage the world famous event. The competition will get going with the first semi final on Tuesday, May 9, before the second on Thursday, May 11 and both will be given a primetime slot on BBC One at 8pm.

And then, there's of course the big one - the Eurovision final on Saturday, May 13, which will run from 8pm until at least 11pm.

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As well as the three shows, the BBC will be bringing a whole host of Eurovision programmes to its schedules, from now until the Eurovision final, with documentaries on the event's history and celebrating some of its most memorable entries.

When is Eurovision on BBC?

Eurovision semi finals

Tuesday, May 9 - 8pm (BBC One)

Semi final one will feature the two favourites to win this year - Sweden and Finland, as well as Ireland who will be hoping to qualify after a string of bad results.

Thursday, May 11 - 8pm (BBC One)

The second semi features quite possibly the zaniest of this year's entries - Austria's Who Hell the Hell is Edgar, about writer Edgar Allan Poe.

Eurovision final

Saturday, May 13 - 8pm (BBC One)

The qualifiers from the semi will join Ukraine and the Big 5 - UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy for the grand finale.

Eurovision Welcomes The World - Monday, May 8 (BBC One)

Join hosts Rylan and Liverpool born actress Sunetra Sarker as they kick off the week of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The pair will have have an access all areas pass to the Turquoise Carpet Opening Ceremony plus they will bring audiences highlights of The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome – a one of a kind outdoor event to mark the start of Liverpool’s big Eurovision week a night earlier.

Eurovision Calling: Jason and Chelcee’s Ultimate Guide - Monday, May 8 (BBC One)

Comedian Jason Manford and singer-songwriter Chelcee Grimes present Eurovision Calling: Jason and Chelcee’s Ultimate Guide. This entertainment programme will see the pair explore why the Eurovision Song Contest is the greatest show on Earth.

Eurovision: Everyone’s A Winner - Friday, May 12

From Liverpool's world-famous waterfront, Fleur East presents a special Top 20 Eurovision Countdown - songs that missed out on the big prize but still went on to become monster hits, including Sam Ryder's own Space Man.

EastEnders

Bucks Fizz winner and Eurovision legend Cheryl Baker will join the residents of Albert Square for a special episode. Speaking of how excited she was to be on the soap, Cheryl said: “I was so thrilled to be asked to take part in an episode of EastEnders. It’s a British institution, for goodness sake! As a real-life ‘Eastender’, I have loved the show since day one and I literally can’t wipe the smile from my face.”

Bargain Hunt

Cheryl wis is also involved with this one as well. She will be joined by famous vocal coach Carrie Grant, who was also a member of UK early 80s Eurovision act Sweet Dreams; former X Factor finalist and Eurovision 2008 entrant Andy Abraham and SuRie, who represented the UK in 2018.

Pointless Celebrities

The Eurovision special will feature Richie Anderson; Icelandic competitor Daði Freyr and Swedish winner Måns Zelmerlöw; Irish winners Linda Martin and Eimear Quinn and Antony Costa from Blue.

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