Graham Norton and Hannah Waddingham of Ted Lasso will serve as hosts for Eurovision 2023

Haley Waddingham

Along with Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham will serve as the event's host this year.

With Graham Norton joining them for the championship game on May 13, the presenting trio will host the two semi-finals on May 9 and May 11.

The anticipated global audience for the competition is more than 160 million.

Ukraine, which will host in 2022 but is unable to do so because of Russia's ongoing invasion, is represented by the UK.

The participation was "a great privilege," according to actress Waddingham, an Emmy winner.

The Sex Education and Game of Thrones actress added, "It's one of the biggest music festivals in the world.".

But this year, more than any other, it is a great honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, a nation that has carried itself with such strength and cohesion. ".

Julia Sanina, Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham and Alesha Dixon
In honor of Ukraine, which won the last competition, this year's event is being held in Liverpool.

Singer and Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon said: "There is just something about the excitement and anticipation of a live show that can't be rivalled. On a huge, international scale, Eurovision exhibits the same excitement, creativity, and talent.

She joins Waddingham, a seasoned Broadway and West End performer, and Julia Sanina, lead singer of the Ukrainian alternative band The HARDKISS, who will both make appearances on tonight's episode of The One Show.

Sanina exclaimed, "I'm so excited to highlight Ukrainian culture and creativity, and to help put on a show to make my country proud.". "I am eager to travel to Liverpool and interact with the audience and the rest of the Eurovision family. ".

For the knockout rounds, there is an all-female lineup.

The grand final will feature three hosts and veteran Eurovision commentator Graham Norton, who has called it "the greatest show on earth.".

It's a huge honor for me to participate every year, he said. "This year is even more significant, and I personally feel a great sense of obligation to uplift our Ukrainian colleagues. ".

Along with Mel Giedroyc, who previously participated in the BBC's semi-final coverage, he will also share commentary duties for the final.

The BBC, which agreed to replace Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC, also confirmed that BBC Radio 2 hosts Scott Mills and Rylan will serve as the broadcaster's semi-final commentators.

In addition to hosting the opening ceremony, which will be streamed online with BBC One's Morning Live host Sam Quek, Ukrainian broadcaster Timur Miroshnychenko, who organized Eurovision in Ukraine in 2017, will also be involved in the live shows.

Like all major international events, putting on Eurovision comes at a hefty price, and the bill is split.

For attractions surrounding the competition in May, Liverpool's local government has committed £4 million. The funds will be used for projects like a fan village with large screens and performance stages, as well as other city-wide events.

Although it hasn't specified a specific amount, the UK government has also stated that it will make a financial contribution because it believes that hosting the event will generate significant profits.

Officials in Turin spent about £10 million to host the Eurovision in 2022, but they more than made up for it, primarily through the hospitality sector.

As the host broadcaster, the BBC will bear the majority of the expenses. The company will likely spend between £8 and £17 million on Eurovision, which is a significant increase from the amount it typically spends on participation.

Sam Ryder celebrating getting points at Eurovision
In this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Sam Ryder represented the United Kingdom and placed second.

In the upcoming weeks, more details regarding Eurovision tickets are anticipated, with fans being able to purchase them for nine performances (including rehearsals).

There is about a month left for each of the 37 participating broadcasters to decide on the song and artist they will submit to the song contest.

Weekly episodes of the new BBC podcast Eurovisioncast explore all the build-up, insights, and analysis.

I call it Eurovisioncast. offered on BBC Sounds. or conduct a search wherever you typically access podcasts.

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