Our friends down the road in Liverpool are giddily getting ready to host this year's Eurovision Song Contest - and it's still a bit of a sore point. Manchester was overlooked as host city for the 2023 event, when the UK will step in on behalf of last year's winner Ukraine.
With our rich history of musical genius, top-notch hospitality and vibrant communities, Manchester would have welcomed Europe with open arms and put on one heck of a show. But it wasn't to be, and the event will instead take place at the other end of the East Lancs Road.
There could still be chance for Manchester's Eurovision fans to celebrate together on the big day though. Coun Pat Karney, Manchester Council's city centre spokesperson, says discussions are underway for a 'celebration' to mark the event in May.
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He told the Manchester Evening News: "Manchester has got a huge Eurovision fanbase. We are currently talking to the BBC about how we can celebrate the great event with our neighbours in Liverpool.
"We will be having some celebration." It comes as the Liverpool Echo revealed today (February 5) that the BBC is planning for major cities across the country to be taken over by Eurovision fan zones.
Eurovision fan zones see hundreds of people gather from all around Europe to soak up the atmosphere and party the night away. The free-to-access areas broadcast the live show from the contest and are expected to be on the same scale as recent events for the World Cup.
Martin Green, BBC Eurovision's managing director, told the Echo: "What we're currently doing is talking to a number of towns and cities across the UK about whether they want to join in and show it. The proximity of the other major event this year, the King's coronation, is helpful here because some cities may want to do things that cover the two at once."
Green added that cities have to explicitly state their interest and the BBC and Eurovision team will work with them on their requirements, stating it is not an onerous situation. Eurovision events, including the semi-finals, will run in the week up to the final on Saturday, May 13 - one week after King Charles III's coronation.
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