Eurovision fans fume as they can’t hear Graham Norton’s commentary
Eurovision viewers were not impressed on Saturday during the opening minutes of the Eurovision Song Contest after being unable to hear Graham Norton and Mel Giedroyc’s commentary on BBC One.
While Ukraine won last year, this year’s competition was held in Liverpool as the war-torn country was deemed too dangerous to host the event, with Britain’s Sam Ryder finishing in second place in 2022.
When the broadcast started this weekend, comedian Graham, 60, and TV presenter Mel, 54, were commenting on what was happening on screen from their box in the M&S Bank Arena.
However, many people couldn’t hear what they were saying during the first few minutes, with viewers taking to Twitter to complain.
One person wrote, “Is it just our television or is Graham Norton’s commentary really silent???”
“We can’t hear him!” Eurovision viewers were not impressed during the opening minutes of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday after being unable to hear Graham Norton’s commentary
Speak up! As the BBC One broadcast began, comedian Graham and TV presenter Mel, 54, commented on what was happening on screen from their box at the M&S Bank Arena
While someone else shared, “It’s in Liverpool, but the sound department has decided that Graham Norton needs to sound like he’s presenting the 1980 Moscow Olympics.”
Someone else posted: ‘Don’t think I can handle 4 hours of Rylan, Mel is great though, but Graham Norton sounded like he was commenting from the bottom of the Mersey…’
And another person tweeted: ‘@BBCOne turn up Graham Norton, we can’t hear him in the background #Eurovision2023.’
“Can’t hear what Graham Norton is saying,” another viewer commented.
While someone else shared: ‘@TheGNShow @bbceurovision @Iromg Graham Norton voiceover is annoying. It’s blurry. !!! Ffs. Find out BBC!!!’
Another viewer wrote: ‘@BBCRadio2 Please sort the sound on BBC1, we can’t hear Graham Norton or the commentary!’
While someone else posted, “Someone is rejecting Graham Norton’s pleas – it’s distorted.”
Another viewer tweeted: “Watching BBC1 and the Eurovision Song Contest in 5.1 via a SkyQ box and Graham Norton is almost inaudible.”
Miffed: Many people couldn’t hear what they were saying during the first few minutes, as viewers took to Twitter to complain
Graham appeared on stage at the start of the closing ceremony as he welcomed viewers alongside co-hosts Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
Hannah said the UK was ‘so very proud’ to ‘take the reins’ and host on behalf of Ukraine, while Julia thanked the British public.
Norton added: ‘United we are, right here. But backstage the competition is fierce.’
Alesha looked glamorous as she wore a one-shoulder blue sequin dress, while Julia wore a long yellow dress with a structured neckline.
Hannah wore an off-shoulder purple metallic dress and Graham wore a black suit with silver details.
The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest started in Liverpool with a flag parade with the countries competing for the coveted glass microphone trophy.
The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance playing the piano in a pre-recorded opening video featuring last year’s winners, the Kalush Orchestra.
They were also joined by Sam Ryder, runner-up in 2022, playing guitar on top of the Liver Building with Andrew Lloyd Webber on piano.
All stars: Graham (right) appeared on stage at the start of the closing ceremony as he welcomed viewers with co-hosts (L-R) Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina and Hannah Waddingham
Patriotic: The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest kicked off in Liverpool with a flag parade with the countries competing for the coveted glass microphone trophy (British entrant Mae Muller pictured)
In the auditorium, a group of drummers joined the Kalush Orchestra on stage to open the grand finale as fireworks lit up the arena.
The Chemical Brothers song Hey Boy Hey Girl was played as the countries taking part in the final began to walk onto the stage with their national flags.
Former Ukrainian contestants Go-A, Tina Karol and Jamala, who won for Ukraine in 2016, performed in between contestants.
Britain’s Mae Muller walked onto the stage before treating the crowd to a performance by Verka Serduchka, who competed for Ukraine in 2007.
Graham Norton welcomed viewers to the finale along with co-hosts Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
Hannah said the UK was ‘so very proud’ to ‘take the reins’ and host on behalf of Ukraine, while Julia thanked the British public.
Graham added: ‘United we are, well here. But backstage the competition is fierce.’
According to the BBC, twenty-six would perform at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool to an expected global audience of 160 million viewers.
Dynamic duo: Music duo Tvorchi, representing Ukraine this year, appeared on stage during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 202
Animation: Joker Out of Slovenia was shown during the flag ceremony during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool
Born to perform: Austria’s Teya and Salena posed on stage at the start of the grand final of the 67th annual Eurovision Song Contest
The city is hosting on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, which won last year’s contest but is unable to host due to the Russian invasion.
The Austrians Teya and Salena were the first on stage with the quirky dance-pop song Who The Hell Is Edgar? – about being possessed by the ghost of 19th century Gothic author Edgar Allan Poe.
Mae Muller closes out the show with I Wrote A Song – a slot that is generally considered a drawback.
But they all face stiff competition from previous winner Loreen, representing Sweden, and Kaarija, representing Finland, both favorites to win.
Champs: Last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine performed at the start of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest