In the build up to the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC has put together a superb line-up of programming as the national broadcaster prepares to host Liverpool 2023!
Specials
Get Your Eurovision On!
BBC iPlayer
BBC Eurovision Commentator for over 10 years Scott Mills is joined by EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy for a celebration of the pure joy, unity and downright banging tunes that is… Eurovision.
They will delve into some of the most iconic performances and look back at incredible staging, memorable moments and of course costumes.
Between them, Scott and Natalie will celebrate some of the biggest Eurovision moments of the past 20 years, and beyond, while looking forward to this year’s competition in Liverpool.
Eurovision Song Contest’s Turquoise Carpet
EBU YouTube, May 7
The Turquoise Carpet Opening Ceremony launches the lead up to the Eurovision Song Contest in style and will take place at Liverpool’s historic St George’s Hall this year.
The show will see the city’s own Sam Quek and Ukrainian Eurovision legend Timur Miroshnychenko welcome all 37 acts to the North West, as they get to know the performers and share the latest backstage gossip.
Introducing the upcoming week of festivities, highlights will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer the following evening.
Eurovision Welcomes The World
BBC One / BBC iPlayer, May 8
Join hosts Rylan and Liverpool born actress Sunetra Sarker as they kick off the week of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The pair have an access areas pass to the Turquoise Carpet Opening Ceremony, plus highlights of The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome – a one of a kind outdoor event to mark the start of Liverpool’s big Eurovision week.
Plus, there will be music and jaw-dropping performances as the city kicks off the Eurovision celebrations with the specially curated outdoor spectacular.
Eurovision Calling: Jason and Chelcee’s Ultimate Guide
BBC One / BBC iPlayer, May 8
Comedian Jason Manford and singer-songwriter Chelcee Grimes explore why the Eurovision Song Contest is the greatest show on Earth, with a mix of archive footage and revealing interviews with fans, experts and competitors.
The one hour film will delve into the story of how the Contest has become the world’s largest live music event, creating global superstars and leaving an impact on the lives of many, with insights from Sam Ryder – who came second last year – and Katrina Leskanich from Katrina and the Waves, who won in 1997.
Also featured is Mae Muller, who shares her personal connection with the Contest ahead of her big performance on Saturday.
Eurovision: Everyone’s A Winner
BBC One / BBC iPlayer, May 12
From Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront, Fleur East presents a special Top 20 Eurovision Countdown of songs that missed out on the big prize but still went on to become monster hits.
Compiled by combining worldwide online streaming and viewing figures, Fleur reveals the Eurovision entries watched and listened to in their millions to an audience of famous faces including UK 2018 entrant SuRie, BBC Radio 1’s Dean McCullough and ‘Dr Eurovision’ Paul Jordan.
Plus a host of Eurovision super-fans including Scott Mills, Claire Sweeney and Owain Wyn Evans, join the fun as the hits keep coming.
Throughout The Week
BBC Breakfast
‘BBC Breakfast’ will be live from Liverpool from Tuesday until Sunday. There will be reporters live from the waterfront, soaking up the atmosphere at the Eurovision Village and Liverpool Arena ahead of the live shows.
Morning Live
‘Morning Live’ will be getting into the Eurovision spirit with a mix of stories, lives on location and a very special Eurovision takeover of Strictly Fitness, headed up by Ukrainian Strictly star Nikita Kuzmin.
The One Show
‘The One Show’ will be relocating to Liverpool to become the official opening act for Eurovision every night from Tuesday through to the Saturday night Grand Final, with exclusive behind the scenes access to the latest preparations.
EastEnders
Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker is set to arrive in Walford as herself as the residents of Albert Square celebrate the highly-anticipated arrival of the Contest in the UK, but why she ends up in Albert Square is yet to be revealed…
Bargain Hunt
In this ESC special, the red team is Cheryl Baker and SuRie, up against a blue team of Carrie Grant – who was part of Sweet Dreams at Eurovision 1983 and has since headed up the UK’s Eurovision jury – and ‘The X Factor’ finalist Andy Abraham, who represented the UK in 2008.
Saturday Kitchen
‘Saturday Kitchen Live’ joins the Eurovision celebrations on the morning of the Grand Final with a special show featuring an international line-up of chefs showcasing their home style delights, with plenty of mouth-watering recipes, perfect for any Eurovision party!
Pointless Celebrities: Eurovision Special
This ‘Pointless Celebrities Eurovision Special’ features a host of Eurovision faces competing not only for a charity prize, but to get their hands on that coveted ‘Pointless’ trophy. The four iconic pairs taking on the ‘Pointless’ column are Eurovision Handover and Allocation Draw presenter AJ Odudu and Radio 2’s travel presenter and Eurovision super-fan Richie Anderson; Icelandic competitor Daði Freyr and Swedish winner Måns Zelmerlöw; Irish winners Linda Martin and Eimear Quinn; and Antony Costa from Blue (Eurovision 2011) with Bucks Fizz star Jay Aston.
The Hit List: Eurovision Special
The Hit List – returns for a very special episode to celebrate all things Eurovision! Marvin and Rochelle Humes host this exciting music quiz which is jam-packed with the biggest Eurovision and chart hits.
On The Radio
The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show
From Tuesday to Thursday, ‘The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show’ celebrates Eurovision, with Zoe in London and Richie Anderson in Liverpool. Richie will be broadcasting from iconic locations across the city, meeting Eurovision legends and local super-fans, with Zoe and the team heading up north on Friday ahead of a huge weekend for the city.
Scott Mills
Scott Mills will be broadcasting his show live from Liverpool on Wednesday and Friday, with Richie Anderson in the hot seat on Tuesday and Thursday as Scott prepares to host the live Semi-Finals with Rylan.
Michelle Visage
Michelle Visage is going all out with the celebrations for her Handbag Hits in the final half-hour of the show, during which she’ll be playing non-stop Eurovision bops, ending with a dramatic Eurovision edition of Lip Sync anthem.
