‘Eurovision is one big party'

Graham Norton on what makes this year’s competition extra special…

- STEVEN PERKINS

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

NEW SATURDAY / BBC1 / 8PM / ENTERTAINMENT

Dig out the bunting, dust off your glittery glad rags and create a smörgåsbord of snacks, because this Saturday it’s time to party with the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021!

After last year’s event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 65th edition of the world’s biggest music contest will be broadcast live from Rotterdam, following the Netherlands’ triumph in Israel in 2019.

There will be 26 countries represented on the big night, comprising the host nation, the so-called ‘Big Five’ (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK), plus 10 qualifying acts from each of the two semi-finals (which are held on 18 and 20 May).

This year the UK entrant is singer and songwriter James Newman with his anthemic dance-pop track Embers.

Meanwhile, BBC1’s regular commentator Graham Norton, who took over presenting duties from the late Terry Wogan in 2009, will also be out in Rotterdam to give his trademark wry take on all the action.