United by MUSIC

ALESHA DIXON, Ukrainian rock star JULIA SANINA and HANNAH WADDINGHAM on teaming up to host a very special Eurovision...

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
SAT, 8PM, BBC1 ENTERTAINMENT

Dust off your glittery glad rags, prepare the party platters and get ready for an evening of showstopping entertainment as this Saturday is the grand final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

The 67th edition of the singing competition, which will air on BBC1, is taking place on home soil in Liverpool as the UK hosts the event on behalf of Ukraine following Kalush Orchestra’s victory in 2022 with their song Stefania.

There will be 26 countries taking part, comprising 10 qualifying acts from each of the two semi-finals (which take place on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May) plus reigning champions Ukraine and members of the ‘Big Five’ – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

On hosting duties are Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina alongside Graham Norton (see box, right), Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon and actor Hannah Waddingham.

At the official launch of the contest in Liverpool last month, TV Times caught up with Julia, 32, Alesha, 44, and Hannah, 48, who all will also co-host the semi-finals, to get their take on proceedings…

How are preparations going?