Eurovision 2023: Graham Norton announces host city as LIVERPOOL after battle with Glasgow

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held in Liverpool, it has been announced.

Eurovision’s Graham Norton, 59, appeared on The One Show on Friday to reveal where in the UK the event would take place after Liverpool and Glasgow were named the final two cities in the race last month.

Comedian Graham said: ‘The city that will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 is Liverpool.’

Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra triumphed at the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy, but the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the annual event, has decided that the show cannot be safely held in the country following the invasion of Russia.

The group said in a statement: “We are very pleased that the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool next year. Although we have not yet had the privilege of visiting it, the city’s musical heritage is known all over the world.

“Playing in the same place where The Beatles started will be a moment we will never forget!

“While we regret that the competition cannot take place in our home country next year, we know that the people of Liverpool will be warm hosts and that the organizers in this city can bring a real Ukrainian touch to Eurovision 2023.”

Following the announcement, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “While we faced stiff competition from Glasgow, who earn more than the zeros they have been awarded on this occasion, are nowhere more experienced or qualified, and nowhere cares.” a party like us.

“We want to put on a show that Ukraine would be proud of, and we’ve worked closely with Liverpool’s sister city Odessa to make sure this is as much their event as it is ours.

“Now the hard work begins. It is no small feat to put on a show that will give millions of people a night they will never forget in one of the most turbulent and difficult years for our continent.

“If it’s capable of anything, it’s the Liverpool City Region, with a little help from our friends in Ukraine.”

Sam Ryder, 33, who represented the UK in the competition and finished second overall to Ukraine this year, will appear on The Graham Norton Show on BBC One at 10:40pm on Friday, where the pair will discuss the host city’s announcement.

“Me and Sam, on Friday night, we will discuss where the Eurovision Song Contest will be on television – because by then we will know,” said Graham.

“I hope this is okay to say. But yes I am. Unless I’m not allowed to say this, and in that case someone else – Sam Ryder will open an envelope there,” he joked.

Last month, the BBC announced that Liverpool and Glasgow are the two cities competing to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The UK got the chance to host the event for the ninth time – more than any other country – after Sam Ryder finished second in the competition.

In August, the BBC released a list of 20 UK cities that had initially submitted an ‘expression of interest’, with applicants from all four regions showing how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities.

Of the seven cities listed in August, six were in England, one in Scotland, with Belfast not going through to Northern Ireland.

Requirements included ‘a suitable venue and sufficient space to meet the requirements of the Eurovision Song Contest’, necessary commitment to the competition, including a financial contribution, and ‘alignment with the BBC’s strategic priorities as a public broadcaster’.

A UNESCO City of Music since 2015, Liverpool is synonymous with The Beatles and has a rich musical heritage.

The Eurovision Song Contest will take place next May.