The Eurovision semi-finalists will no longer appear on stage for the announcement of the qualifiers.
There’s plenty to get excited about this week, with live coverage of both Eurovision semi-finals kicking off at 8pm on May 9 and 11, with Rylan Clark and Scott Mills in the commentary box.
Devoted fans were a little concerned over the news that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) planned to change how it announces semi-final qualifiers.
Instead of revealing the Top 10 and zooming in on those who made it through, they’d planned to have all of the acts on stage while they made the announcement. Similar to the X Factor, viewers would be able to see the sad reactions of the acts that did not make it through.
However, the BBC confirmed a change of heart following Monday afternoon’s dress rehearsal.
In a joint statement with EBU, it read: ‘After trying a new system of presenting the qualifying countries in Dress Rehearsal 1 of the First Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 it was decided by the production team to revert back to the previous reveal sequence used in recent years with artists learning whether they will progress to the Grand Final together with their delegations in the Green Room.
‘Whilst this change will not now be implemented this year there are other innovations in the show for viewers to look forward to.’
As winners, Ukraine would usually host, but the organisers decided that it was too dangerous to host due to Russia’s invasion. The UK is stepping in as our entrant Sam Ryder came second.
‘It’s good that it’s being staged in the UK. We see lots of Ukrainian colours, and the main thing is safety,’ he told the BBC.
‘Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC,’ the EBU said in a statement at the time.
They went on to thank Ukraine’s public broadcaster for their ‘wholehearted operation’ while options were being explored, who have expressed their ‘sadness and disappointment.’
Jake Shears, Fleur East and Jedward will all be performing at the Eurovision village over the coming week.
The first Eurovision semi-final will take place on Tuesday May 9.
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