Eurovision fans keenly tuned in to Friday’s episode of The One Show to find out which UK city would be hosting the song contest next year - but some eagle-eyed viewers had the revelation spoiled moments before it was announced.
Host Graham Norton was welcomed on to the BBC show to announce which of the two finalists, Glasgow or Liverpool, had been selected as host city. The two cities had made it to the final hurdle after Newcastle was cut from the shortlist along with Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.
There were huge cheers live from Liverpool as Graham announced that it was the winning city after pulling a card out of a silver envelope, awards ceremony-style. But the host seemingly failed to realise that the winner’s name was actually printed on the back of the card for all viewers to see, The Mirror reports .
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Graham vowed to “build the drama” as he pulled the card out of the envelope, holding it to his chest as he left a dramatic pause before making the announcement. However, some viewers spotted that the back of the card facing the camera read: “Eurovision Song Contest, United Kingdom, Liverpool 2023”.
Of course, viewers quickly took to social media to point out the blunder. “Not Graham Norton taking time in announcing the host city when we could see it on the card,” one person wrote on Twitter .
Another added: “Incredible scenes during the Eurovision announcement as Graham Norton builds some tension before the big reveal… holding a card saying ‘Liverpool 2023’.”
Some even suspected that Graham might have opened the card the wrong way. “He was probably looking at a blank piece of paper!” one person theorised. “The pause, the stare of panic!”
Despite the gaffe, those celebrating in Liverpool were ecstatic at the news with the city’s mayor promising to “do Ukraine proud” after this year’s winning country was unable to accept the hosting role due to the ongoing war with Russia. Liverpool will now be preparing for thousands of visitors next May as Eurovision visits the UK for the first time since 1998.
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