It doesn't seem like a year since rock act Maneskin clinched victory for Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest, but now it's time for Europe to crown a successor as this year's contest begins.
And, has been the tradition for close to 20 years now, there will be plenty of singing to be done before the grand final o f Eurovision on Saturday, May 14, as 35 countries have to try and make it through the semi finals first, which get going on Tuesday. The number of countries in Eurovision this year totals 40, with the 'big 5,' also including host nation Italy.
Those five nations, also including France, Germany, Spain and United Kingdom, automatically qualify for a place in the Eurovision 2022 final, with the UK's Sam Ryder being handed a boost, after he was drawn in the second half of the show. Eurovision odds for this year were already tipping him to do way better than James Newman did in 2021, but the draw, complete with the rave reaction to his rehearsals, has seen his odds shortened even further.
