Fans are gearing up for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the star names for the contest now in the frame and the first semi-final completed.
BBC Studios will once again produce the BBC’s coverage of the biggest and most watched song competition in the world following the 67th Eurovision Song Contest which was hosted by the BBC in Liverpool, on behalf of Ukraine in May 2023.
Following Loreen’s victory in Liverpool with the song Tattoo, the 68th edition of the Contest will be taking place in Sweden, culminating in the Grand Final which will be broadcast live from Malmö Arena. This will be the seventh time Sweden hosts the Contest and this year it’ll be hosted by a Hollywood star and an iconic Eurovision-veteran; Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede will together lead the three broadcasts, live from Malmö Arena.
All three live programmes – both Semi Finals and the Grand Final – will once again be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2024.
The Second Semi-Final on 9 May 2024 features 16 countries competing for a spot in the Grand Final.
- Albania
- Armenia
- Austria
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Greece
- Malta
- Switzerland
- Belgium
- Estonia
- Georgia
- Israel
- Latvia
- Netherlands
- Norway
- San Marino
Audiences in France, Italy, Spain and non participating countries grouped in a ‘Rest of the World’ category will be able to vote in this Semi-Final, along with audiences from the participating countries.
Semi-Final
In the Second Semi-Final, the audience will have the opportunity to participate in the world’s biggest sing along, together with three iconic Eurovision queens – Helena Paparizou, Sertab Erener and Charlotte Perrelli.
On Thursday 9th May, the second Eurovision 2024 Semi-Final will be hosted by commentators Scott Mills and Rylan, live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Over on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, Richie Anderson will be taking the reins for the first time and leading the commentary on the airwaves.
You can watch and listen to all the action across BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 8pm on Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 May.
On The One Show, Graham Norton announced that multi-award winning actress Joanna Lumley, will be joining the BBC Eurovision family as the United Kingdom’s Eurovision spokesperson, where she will deliver the results of the UK’s National Jury live during the Grand Final on Saturday 11 May 2024.
A long term fan of Eurovision, Joanna Lumley is already getting into the mood for her iconic Spokesperson role. Joanna says: “Good Evening Malmö, it’s Joanna here! I am delighted to be announcing the jury vote for the UK at this year’s Eurovision. It’s such a fabulous honour to give the iconic ‘douze points’!”
Joanna follows in the illustrious footsteps of previous spokespeople which includes Catherine Tate, AJ Odudu, Amanda Holden, Nigella Lawson, Mel Giedroyc, Richard Osman, Alex Jones, Cheryl Baker and Katrina Leskanich from Katrina & The Waves amongst many others.
A national icon, Joanna Lumley was made a Dame (DBE) in 2022 for her services to drama, entertainment and charity. The model, actor, presenter, producer, and humanitarian is a veteran of the stage and screen, and Joanna’s BAFTA winning turn as the outrageous, Patsy Stone in global hit, BBC Sitcom, Absolutely Fabulous, has won her a multitude of fans from around the world. Also sweeties, Ab Fab fans will know that Patsy is no stranger to Eurovision, as she has famously rubbed shoulders with UK Eurovision legend Lulu!
Grand Final
See Joanna deliver the results of the UK National Jury live during the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, Saturday 11 May from 8pm (BST) on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
During the Grand Final on Saturday 11th May, voting will open just before the first song is performed. Viewers at home will be able to cast their votes as the songs are performed, rather than waiting until all entries have been presented, as has been the case since public voting was introduced in 1997 (except in 2010 and 2011 when voting also began at the start of the show).
Olly Alexander will represent the United Kingdom at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden in May 2024.
