UK to host Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in over 20 years
Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest has been confirmed to take place in the UK. Due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the show’s organisers have announced that it’s not safe for the event to be held in the country.
Receiving a total of 631 points, the Kalush Orchestra won this year’s competition for Ukraine with its song Stefania. As a result, the UK – who placed runner-up with Sam Ryder’s Spaceman – were invited by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to act as Host Broadcaster for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.
The UK last hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham in 1998 after Katrina and the Waves won the previous year with the song Love Shine a Light.
Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor, said in a statement: “We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023.
