The United Kingdom will host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, the show has confirmed.
The Ukrainian entry, Kalush Orchestra, won the competition in Turin, Italy, this year and it is traditional that the winning country hosts the event the following year.
After their victory, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that, following a “full assessment and feasibility study”, it had concluded the “security and operational guarantees” required to host the event could not be fulfilled by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC.
On Thursday, it was announced that the BBC, as national broadcaster of the UK, which was the 2022 runner-up, has been invited to act as host for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.
In a statement, the Eurovision Song Contest said: "The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the BBC have confirmed that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted in the United Kingdom on behalf of this year’s winning broadcaster, Ukraine’s UA:PBC."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Last week President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and I agreed that wherever Eurovision 2023 is held, it must celebrate the country and people of Ukraine.
"As we are now hosts, the UK will honour that pledge directly – and put on a fantastic contest on behalf of our Ukrainian friends.
While Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries added: “The Eurovision Song Contest unites people through the power of music and creativity.
“Following a request from the European Broadcasting Union and the Ukrainian authorities, I’m delighted that the BBC has agreed to step in and host next year’s contest.
“I’m just sorry that due to Russia’s continued acts of bloodshed it has not been possible to host the event in Ukraine, where it should be.
“As hosts, the UK will honour the competition’s spirit and diversity, and most importantly, ensure it reflects Ukraine’s recent Eurovision victory and Ukrainian creativity.”
Sam Ryder represented the UK this year
Dominic Lipinski
Boris Johnson has reacted to the news
Dominic Lipinski
