BBC reveals how the UK’s Eurovision 2023 song and act will be chosen
Sam Ryder, representing the United Kingdom, performs during the Grand Final show of the 66th Eurovision Song Contest (Daniele Venturelli/WireImage via Getty Images)
The BBC has shared details of how the UK’s 2023 Eurovision Song Contest entry and song will be chosen.
The broadcaster will once again be collaborating with music publishing company TaP Music for Eurovision 2023 to choose a song and act to represent the UK.
TaP Music selected TikTok star Sam Ryder for this year’s contest, and helped the UK place second with his hit “Space Man”.
Ryder ended decades of the dreaded “nul points” curse for the UK, resulting in the country’s best placing since 1998.
TaP Music said working on Eurovision for the second year in a row was part of an aim to “change the narrative around the UK and Eurovision to something much more positive”.
Rachel Ashdown, commissioning editor for the BBC, said: “We are thrilled that Ben Mawson and Ed Millett plus the team at TaP will once again bring their unrivalled expertise to work with the BBC and BBC Studios to find an act and song to represent the UK at Eurovision.
“I hope we can find another artist who will not only be a brilliant ambassador for Eurovision but like Sam will sing their head off with a stand out song.”
Introducing the Sensational Seven! ?
One of these cities will host #Eurovision 2023!
?? Find out more right here: https://t.co/xQJO6meK1W pic.twitter.com/wVsmy3cDUh
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) August 12, 2022
The BBC also has a decision on its hands on where to host next year’s Eurovision.
The winner of Eurovision traditionally hosts the following year’s contest. Ukraine won this year, with Kalush Orchestra, but the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided, due to the continued Russian invasion, the contest must be held elsewhere.
As runner-up the UK is stepping in to host on Ukraine’s behalf.
Seven shortlisted UK cities for Eurovision 2023
A key requirement the BBC asked from the host city is to show “how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities to mark the fact that Ukraine are the winners.”
The BBC has now officially announced the seven UK cities shortlisted to host the competition next year, with Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield in the running.
Dubbed the Sensational Seven, the cities beat 20 bids from Bristol, Aberdeen, Darlington, Edinburgh, and more, to become shortlisted.
The Eurovision 2023 shortlist was chosen for cities’ capability, capacity and experience to host the contest, which last took place in the UK almost 25 years ago in Birmingham.
The seven cities will now go through to the next stage of selection which will consider their financial commitment, passion, and strength of their local culture.
The host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be announced by the BBC and EBU in the autumn.
