The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 gets underway in Liverpool on Tuesday night.
Millions of people from across Europe will be tuning in tonight to watch the first semi-final featuring 15 countries. Fifteen acts will perform at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, with 10 progressing to the final.
A second semi-final will take place on Thursday with the 20 qualifying acts from both nights joining the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and last year’s winners Ukraine in th grand final on Saturday night.
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All three events will be broadcast on BBC One with coverage of semi-final 1 getting underway at 8pm - with hosts Hannah Waddingham, Julia Sanina and Alesha Dixon on presenting duties.
London-born Hannah Waddingham, 48, is a musical theatre icon whose stage career spans over 20 years. Hannah, who has won one Olivier awards and been nominated a further three times, has performed on both London’s West End and on Broadway in shows including Spamalot, Kiss Me, Kate, and The Wizard of Oz.
She has also appeared on TV in shows including Game of Thrones and Netflix’s Sex Education as well as Apple TV's Ted Lasso which saw her win a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe nomination.
Speaking ahead of Eurovision Hannah, who has one daughter, said: "There’s something really special about Eurovision, which is why I’ve been an avid fan for years, from the camaraderie of all the acts backstage, to the epic scale of the show."
She added: "It’s one of the world’s greatest music festivals, but this year, perhaps more than ever, it is such a great honour to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, a country which has carried itself with such strength and unity. It is my great privilege to join Eurovision this year of all years.”
Joining Hannah is pop star, singer and Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon. Alesha, 44, started her career with girl group Mis-Teeq before her successful solo career.
Away from singing she has hosted a number of big UK TV shows including Comic Relief, Children In Need, The Greatest Dancer and The MOBO Awards. She has also and has appeared as a judge on Brtiain's Got Talen and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. After winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 she later became a judge on that show for three years.
Alesha is a mum-of-two and married her husband Azuka Ononye in 2017. She was previously married to British rapper Harvey between 2005 and 2006.
Speaking ahead of this year's Eurovision, Alesha said: "“Eurovision delivers that excitement, creativity and talent, but on a vast, global scale. I remember watching the Eurovision Song Contest on the TV when I was small, so to be there bringing the Grand Final and Semi-Finals to people watching across the world is huge.”
Completing the presenting lineup is Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina. Julia, 32, is lead singer of rock band The Hardkiss who represented Ukraine in Eurovision back in 2016 and narrowly missed out on winning tne contest.
She has appeared on Ukraine's version of Strictly Come Dancing and has been a judge on their version of X Factor. Julia, a mum-of-one, is married to Hardkiss guitarist Valeriy Bebko.
Speaking ahead of Eurovision Julia said: "I am thrilled to present the Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals and Grand Final.
"I’m so excited to showcase Ukrainian culture and creativity, and to help put on a show to make my country proud. I can’t wait to get to Liverpool and meet the fans and the rest of the Eurovision family."
This year's Eurovision Song Contest festivities kicked off on Sunday when the 37 competing acts took to a turquoise carpet welcome ceremony.
Mae Muller, 25, will compete for the UK with her track I Wrote A Song.
The Eurovision semi-finals will be broadcast on BBC One on Tuesday and Thursday, with the grand final taking place on Saturday from 8pm.
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