Liverpool is buzzing with Eurovision excitement as the action builds towards the grand final this Saturday, May 13. Now the BBC have added to that excitement and broken our hearts all over again as a new promo film features the late Paul O'Grady.
The TV and radio host, and Scouse legend, died suddenly in March and has been on screen weekly since his passing in the new series of, For the Love of Dogs. His appearance in the BBC welcome film sees the much-loved personality sweeping his kitchen in a pinny with a dog underarm as he turns and smiles at the camera. His contribution was included with the blessing of his family.
Paul is just one of a handful of stars appearing in the video including The Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood, The Royle Family's Ricky Tomlinson (in a nod to his Brookside role as Bobby Grant) and Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin, who is from Ukraine, the winning country from 2022 on whose behalf the UK is hosting.
Read more: Eurovision 2023 TV schedule from opening ceremony to semi-final dates and grand final
Also making appearances are Drag Race UK star Sister Sister, Everton and Ukraine footballer Vitalii Mykolenko, and Liverpool FC women's footballers Sofie Lungaard and Emma Koivisto.
The action in the ad sees an excited young boy discover that Eurovision is coming to Liverpool and race around the city telling everyone he finds. the film showcases Liverpool's iconic venues and monuments like the Liver Building, Albert Dock, Matthew Street and even the fictional Brookside Close.
Much-loved comedian and presenter, Paul, died peacefully in his sleep as confirmed by his partner, Andre Portasio, back in March. During his career, he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs. He also hosted ITV celebrity game show, Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up.
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