The day has finally come and all eyes will be on Liverpool as the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 takes place. The huge annual event actually kicked off last Sunday when the 37 competing acts took to a turquoise carpet for the welcome ceremony in the city after they won a bid to host the contest.
It is the first time in 25 years that the event is being held right here in the UK and traditionally, it wouldn't have happened this year due to the country finishing in second place during last year's competition. Eurovision 2022 winners Ukraine would have traditionally hosted this year's event after Kalush Orchestra stormed to victory in both emotional and joyful scenes in Turin back in May 2022.
But the ongoing Russian invasion resulted in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) deciding it was not a 'viable option' for the country to host the contest. And with the UK's entry Sam Ryder coming second at last year's event, the broadcaster decided we would be the best fit to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on Ukraine's behalf.
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The busy week continued after the opening ceremony as two semi-final competitions have seen countries go head-to-head for a place in the final on Saturday night (May 13).
On Tuesday evening (May 9) during the first semi-final, the first ten countries to join the "big five" - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - in the grand final were revealed after 15 countries battled it out for a place. A further 16 countries then took to the stage in Liverpool on Thursday night (May 11) as the final entries for the 2023 contest were confirmed.
This year, Brit singer Mae Muller, 25, will compete on behalf of the UK with her track I Wrote A Song. But the full list of countries taking part in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, as well as their acts and songs, are:
- United Kingdom: Mae Muller - I Wrote A Song
- France: La Zarra - Évidemment
- Germany: Lord Of The Lost - Blood & Glitter
- Spain: Blanca Paloma - Ea Ea
- Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite
- Ukraine: Tvorchi - Heart Of Steel
- Croatia: Let 3 – Mama ŠČ!
- Moldova: Pasha Parfeni - Soarele și Luna
- Switzerland: Remo Forrer - Watergun
- Finland: Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha
- Czechia: Vesna - Tell Me More
- Israel: Noa Kirel - Unicorn
- Portugal: Mimicat - Ai Coração
- Sweden: Loreen - Tattoo
- Serbia: Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava
- Norway: Alessandra - Queen of Kings
- Albania: Alba & Familja Kelmendi
- Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou - Break a Broken Heart
- Estonia: Alika - Bridges
- Belgium: Gustaph - Because of You
- Austria: Teya & Salena - Who The Hell Is Edgar?
- Lithuania: Monika Linkyte - Stay
- Poland: Blanka - Solo
- Australia: Voyager - Promise
- Armenia: Brunette - Future Lover
- Slovenia: Joker Out - Carpe Diem
And with all the contestants now officially confirmed it is all about the grand final which takes place on Saturday, May 13, from 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Hosts Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina will be joined by Eurovision and TV legend Graham Norton to present the final. Graham and Mel Giedroyc will take it in turns in the commentary box throughout the night.
BSL translation will be available during the live show via BBC iPlayer. But you don't just have to watch the action unfold on TV as Scott Mills and Rylan Clark will be delivering their commentary live on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
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