It’s looking more and more likely that the United Kingdom will be hosting the 2023 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
It was announced earlier today by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that 2022 winners Ukraine would be unable to host the annual song competition.
The EBU then followed up that announcement with confirmation that they have opened talks with the BBC about hosting next year’s contest in the UK.
UK entry Sam Ryder finished as the runner-up at this year’s event with his song Spaceman, behind Ukraine’s winning entry, Stefania by the Kalush Orchestra.
However, due to the tragic situation in Ukraine, the EBU expressed ‘deep regret’ that the country’s broadcasters could not guarantee the event’s security.
It means that the honour of hosting the competition is now increasingly likely to be awarded to the UK.
TV and radio personality Rylan Clark-Neal, tipped by many to host the UK coverage in 2023, tweeted a Union Jack flag emoji in response to the news.
And it’s not just Rylan who has something to say about the news, with fans of the competition greeting the announcement with their reactions.
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon gave her reaction, saying that she could think of no better host city than Glasgow.
We wish @Eurovision could be in Ukraine but understand that in circumstances this isnâ€
t possible. However, I can think of a perfect venue on banks of the River Clyde!! @scotgov is happy to discuss with BBC, @GlasgowCC @EBU_HQ and others https://t.co/74YzxlWgWh
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 17, 2022
And all over social media, people have been sharing their excitement and joy, while also arguing over which UK city should host the competition.
Scottish actor and writer Louise Stewart suggested to the BBC Press Office that they should ‘Do it in Glasgow!’
Fans of the Song Contest were, of course, posting that famous scene from US version of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s The Office.
Another fan said: ‘Eurovision 2023 in the UK? I must be dreaming!’
But some fans of the competition understandably spared a thought for this year’s deserving winners, who are only unable to host in 2023 because of Russia’s ongoing invasion in their country.
‘Wow! We get to host Eurovision next year! So exciting! But such a terrible shame for the Ukraine winners’, one fan shared.
Others described it as ‘heart-breaking’ that Ukraine would be unable to host this year, while some suggested that the Eurovision hall be decked with Ukrainian flags and that the TV coverage should be presented by Ukrainian hosts.
Obviously here for a Eurovision held in the U.K., but it really needs to be a Ukraine show, with hosts, interval acts and intros from Ukraine.
— Sam Atkins (@Atkins_Sam) June 17, 2022
This needs to be very much a Ukraine hosted Eurovision, just set in the UK. The hosts, the interval acts, the postcards should all be Ukraine based. There can be a UK flavour for sure, but you have to respect Ukraines desire to host and the situation they are in.
— Jack (@JackJackmernag) June 17, 2022
Regardless of what shape the show eventually takes, there will months of anticipation and desperate scrambles for tickets to see if the UK can go one better and win the competition in 2023.
Eurovision Song Contest returns to BBC One in 2023.
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