Lulu has called for her home city of Glasgow to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
The Scottish singer represented the UK at the 1969 edition of the annual competition with her track ‘Boom Bang-a-Bang’, and was voted one of four joint winners that year.
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Speaking on last night’s episode of Newsnight (via BBC News), Lulu said Eurovision 2023 should be held in Glasgow after it was confirmed that the UK will hold the contest on behalf of this year’s winners, Ukraine.
“It has to be Glasgow because that’s where I come from,” she told the BBC Two programme.
“They’re so politically savvy, they’re the most fabulous hosts, they absolutely are music mad. I think it would be just the most fabulous thing, and I would be there. I just cannot wait.”
Scotland has only staged Eurovision once previously, at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall in 1972.
The BBC has also held the contest in London (1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977), Brighton (1974), Harrogate (1982) and Birmingham (1998). The host city for 2023 will be chosen in the coming months following a bidding process.
Confirming that Eurovision 2022 will take place in the UK, Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor, said: “We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023.
“The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”
Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC, added: “The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity. The BBC will now begin the process to find a Host City to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023.”
Ukraine will automatically qualify for the Eurovision 2023 Grand Final.
In other news, Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra have announced a North American headline tour for later in the year.
This year’s UK’s entrant, Sam Ryder – who came in at second place with 466 points – will hit the road in the UK and Ireland next March.
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