The BBC has announced who has the honor to host the Eurovision Song Contest and commentary line-up for Eurovision.
During the Grand Final, it will be presented by Eurovision legend Graham Norton, Ukrainian singer of the famous band The HARDKISS Julia Sanina, and internationally acclaimed musical theatre performer and multiple award-winning actresses Hannah Waddingham, and pop star and TV presenter Alesha Dixon.
Two live Semi-Finals will be presented by the trio hosts of Julia, Hannah, and Alesha.
Let’s meet the hosts
Hannah Waddingham
Hannah Waddingham won an Emmy Award for her role in Ted Lasso, has been nominated for three Olivier Awards, and has starred in West End and Broadway musicals (Spamalot, The Wizard of Oz, Into The Woods, Kiss Me Kate and Space Family Robinson), additional credits include Hocus Pocus 2, Game of Thrones, Sex Education, Willow, and the upcoming Tom Jones limited series.
Julia Sanina
Julia Sanina was a finalist in Dancing with the Stars in Ukraine and was a judge on X-Factor Ukraine. In 2016, her band, The HARDKISS, took part in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest and placed second overall. She was elected by the Ukrainian public to be a judge on Ukraine’s Eurovision national selection Vidbir.
Alesha Dixon
Alesha Dixon, formerly in the chart-topping band, Mis-Teeq who had two top-ten albums and seven consecutive top-ten singles – is also a hugely successful solo artist, Alesha is an experienced BBC TV presenter – fronting Comic Relief and The Greatest Dancer, judging Strictly Come Dancing and ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.
Graham Norton
Graham Norton is a Eurovision Song Contest legend who has been commentating on the Contest for the UK since 2009. His BAFTA award-winning BBC show, The Graham Norton Show sees Graham chatting regularly with the world’s biggest music stars and Hollywood A-Listers, Graham has won the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards.
Ukrainian broadcaster Timur Miroshnychenko will be the Eurovision Correspondent in Liverpool, appearing throughout the shows plus giving live insights from Ukraine’s commentary box in the Liverpool Arena. Alongside Liverpudlian presenter, Sam Quek, he will front the Opening Ceremony live stream on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube Channel.
For the Grand Final commentary on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom, Graham Norton and actress and comedian Mel Giedroyc will take turns in the commentary box to bring those watching at home their unique and expert views on the competing acts. And for the first time in the UK’s Eurovision Song Contest history, both Semi-Finals will be live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer (in the United Kingdom), with radio DJs and Eurovision experts, Scott Mills and Rylan bringing UK audiences their colorful and insightful commentary.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, says:
‘The BBC is thrilled to have such a talented line-up bringing the Eurovision Song Contest from Liverpool – on behalf of Ukraine – to the world.
One thing that truly unites us all is music, and we’re proud to have a team – who are well accustomed to the worlds of music, performing and live broadcasting – as part of our Eurovision presenting family.
It will be a remarkable moment for the BBC to deliver two huge pinnacles in this year’s broadcasting calendar, the King’s Coronation and Eurovision, within the same week.’
Don’t forget to visit our full guide to Eurovision 2023: Our Eurovision 2023 homepage
