Sinead Butler
Oct 08, 2022
IndyTV
Liverpool has been announced as the UK host city for Eurovision 2023, beating Glasgow to host what will be the first contest held in the UK for 25 years.
Broadcaster and much-loved Eurovision commentator, Graham Norton shared the news on BBC’s The One Show and revealed Liverpool Arena as the venue for the music competition.
The UK was chosen to host Eurovision next year because this year's winner Ukraine is unable to hold the event due to the ongoing war in the country.
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Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Roy Gladder was delighted and grateful at his city being selected, he said: "‘If we hadn’t got it, if ever there was a city that deserved it, it was Glasgow. I’m so glad we’ve got it."
\u201cGood evening Liverpool \ud83d\udc4b\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\u201d— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision Song Contest) 1665167432
Tim Davie, BBC director-general congratulated Liverpool and described it as an "exciting, warm and vibrant city," as well as the "undisputed capital of pop music" that iscelebrating the 65th anniversary of its twinning with the Ukrainian city of Odesa.
This year's Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra also expressed that they are "very pleased that next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool."
"Though we haven’t had the privilege of visiting yet, the musical heritage of the city is known all over the world. Playing in the same place that The Beatles started out will be a moment we’ll never forget!"
Members of the band "Kalush Orchestra" pose onstage with the winner's trophy and Ukraine's flags after winning on behalf of Ukraine the Eurovision Song contest 2022 on May 14, 2022 at the Pala Alpitour venue in TurinPhoto by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images
They added: "Although we are sad that next year’s competition cannot take place in our homeland, we know that the people of Liverpool will be warm hosts and the organisers will be able to add a real Ukrainian flavour to Eurovision 2023 in this city."
Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of UA:PBC, Ukraine’s public broadcaster said:
"It is symbolic that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool, a twin city of Odesa. The organisation of a contest of this level sets super demanding requirements.
"I am confident that the city recognised as the capital of pop music will meet them in the best way and will deliver the celebration of music that will amaze both delegations and fans of Eurovision.'
Since the news broke, celebratory messages have been pouring in for Liverpool.
Graham Norton congratulated the city on their win and added that we'll see him there in May.
\u201cCongratulations Liverpool!!! @Eurovision @bbceurovision See you in May!!!\u201d— graham norton (@graham norton) 1665169666
TV presenter Rylan shared his excitement: "BRING ON @Eurovison 2023!!"
\u201cCONGRATULATIONS LIVERPOOL!!!!! BRING ON @Eurovision 2023!!!!! \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 \u2764\ufe0f#eurovision\u201d— R Y L A N (@R Y L A N) 1665166718
Prime minister, Liz Truss tweeted her congratulations to Liverpool, describing the hosts as a "welcoming city with a proud musical heritage."
\u201cHuge congratulations to Liverpool for having been selected as the hosts of @bbceurovision 2023. A welcoming city with a proud musical heritage, Liverpool will put on an unforgettable show which celebrates the rich culture and creativity of Ukraine.\u201d— Liz Truss (@Liz Truss) 1665166887
Labour leader, Keir Starmer also celebrated the news and added that he has "no doubt you'll do Britain and Ukraine proud by putting on a show to remember."
\u201cCongratulations to Liverpool! An incredible city.\n\nI have no doubt you\u2019ll do Britain and Ukraine proud by putting on a show to remember.\u201d— Keir Starmer (@Keir Starmer) 1665168917
Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon was gracious in defeat, while disappointed Glasgow wasn't chosen, she said to Liverpool: "but no doubt you'll do @Eurovision and Ukraine proud."
\u201cCongratulations, Liverpool. Gutted for Glasgow, but no doubt you\u2019ll do @Eurovision and Ukraine proud \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\u201d— Nicola Sturgeon (@Nicola Sturgeon) 1665166820
Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram declared that "MUSIC'S COMING HOME!"
\u201c\ud83c\udf89 MUSIC\u2019S COMING HOME!\n\n\ud83c\udfb6 Music wouldn't be music without Liverpool - and now the biggest music contest in the world is coming to our region! \n\nNow the real work begins as we pull out all the stops for a Eurovision contest to make Ukraine proud \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffb\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 #SlavaUkraini\u201d— Steve Rotheram (@Steve Rotheram) 1665167030
Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham congratulated Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram and said Eurovision will be "one big North West party."
\u201cMassive congrats to @MetroMayorSteve and Liverpool.\n\nThis is going be one big North West party - and your M62 neighbours are here to help!\n\n#Eurovision2023 https://t.co/keJEQSWciJ\u201d— Andy Burnham (@Andy Burnham) 1665167663
Fair to say the punters in one Liverpool pub were ecstatic at the announcement.
\u201cThe moment Liverpool won the hosting for #Eurovision2023 in @The_Bridewell @Eurovision \ud83c\udf89\ud83c\udf7e\u201d— Joshua Wilkins (@Joshua Wilkins) 1665166885
Respect was paid to Ukraine after the announcement as the Port of Liverpool building was lit in the country's colours.
\u201cThe Port of Liverpool building lit in the colours of Ukraine this evening #Eurovision2023 \ud83d\udca5\u201d— Iain Watts (@Iain Watts) 1665175031
Glasgow had been the bookie's favourite, so Cilla Black singing "Surprise, surprise!" has never been more appropriate.
\u201cEveryone in Liverpool rn #Eurovision2023\u201d— Joe (@Joe) 1665169238
While others joked about who will host the event.
\u201cEurovision 2023 hosts\u201d— ed\u2122\ufe0f (@ed\u2122\ufe0f) 1665167477
\u201c#Eurovision2023 hosts revealed\u201d— Nooruddean (@Nooruddean) 1665175617
Some Scots didn't take the defeat too well...
\u201cScotland to the #Eurovision2023 committee.\u201d— Sean Mclaughlan (@Sean Mclaughlan) 1665168183
\u201cyou won Liverpool. Dear Lord, what a sad little life. #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision\u201d— Dan White (@Dan White) 1665166712
\u201cEnjoy your Eurovision Liverpool. What a sad little life Liverpool #Eurovision2023\u201d— Sam (@Sam) 1665166841
Elsewhere, eagle-eyed viewers spotted that "Liverpool 2023" was on the front of Norton's card before he announced the news himself.
\u201cIncredible scenes during the Eurovision announcement as Graham Norton builds some tension before the big reveal\u2026 holding a card saying \u2018Liverpool 2023\u2019\u201d— Ryan Love (@Ryan Love) 1665167651
Roll on May 2023!
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