A BBC reporter appeared to confuse Finland's Eurovision entry Käärijä with a fan wearing a similar get-up ahead of their semi-final performance. The first Eurovision semi-final took place on Tuesday May 9, with Käärijä among the 10 acts selected to advance to the grand final.
However, while BBC North West Tonight thought they'd secured an interview with the man of the moment, it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. The blunder aired as part of a segment interviewing fans on the semi-final performances, several of whom tipped Finland to go the distance in the competition.
However, many viewers were left confused when one fan was mistaken for Finland’s act, Käärijä, who had just been on stage at the M&S Bank Arena performing their song "Cha Cha Cha".
Speaking to the unidentified man in a similar luminous green top worn by Käärijä onstage, the reporter remarked “we even managed to catch up with the main man himself”. The strapline underneath the interview read “Käärijä– Finland entrant”, reports The Mirror.
Asked about how Liverpool was as a host city, the man replied: “Incredible. In comparison with all the other countries that I have been (to), this is better organised. Everything is walking distance, and it’s just so friendly. Everything is just so easy around here. It’s incredible.”
Eurovision viewers took to social media to point out the interviewee wasn’t Käärijä, but instead a superfan. TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan was one of many who tweeted about the situation, writing: "OH MY GOD BBC North West Tonight interviewed a Käärijä fan thinking it was HIM. ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL."
Another user wrote: “BBC North West, hate to break it to you but this is not Käärijä.” A third typed: “Noooooooo BBC North West thought they were speaking to Käärijä but it was a fan cosplaying”.
ITV I'm A Celebrity Janice Dickinson's exit statement as she's forced to quit camp
Love Island star shares health update after scary hospital dash
Helen Skelton shares 'reality' of BBC Morning Live with Gethin Jones
- Love Island's Tom Clare 'gutted' as he confirms Samie Elishi split with emotional statement
- Which Love Island 2023 couples are still together and who has split?
