Eurovision viewers baffled as Hannah Waddingham starts speaking fluent French

Eurovision viewers were left stunned after hearing presenter Hannah Waddingham speaking fluent French on stage - although not everyone caught the impressive moment as they watched along at home.

Ted Lasso star Waddingham is joined by Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina this evening to take us through the finalists for Eurovision 2023 - with performers from Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Serbia, France, Cyprus, Spain, Sweden, Albania, Italy, Estonia, Finland, Czech Republic, Australia, Belgium, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, Norway, Lithuania, Israel, Slovenia, Croatia and the UK all battling it out.

But Waddingham ended up stealing the limelight slightly as she suddenly started speaking French, with one viewer tweeting: "Wait Hannah Waddingham's French was good Anything she can't do?! #Eurovision."

Someone else said: "I’m watching Eurovision for the first time and Hannah Waddingham is there??? And she’s speaking French???? They want me to explode."

Twitter

Another wrote: "Damn!! Hannah Waddingham speaking French!!!! I like her even more!!"

However, while some were impressed, others were just frustrated that they couldn't hear her, as the BBC coverage saw commentator Mel Giedroyc speaking over her as she broke into French.

One fumed: "Can the commentators stop talking over Hannah Waddingham every time she speaks French ffs."

Another said: "They spoke over Hannah Waddingham speaking French… I’m gonna cry."

Waddingham's bilingual hosting skills also shocked viewers earlier this week when she served the voting instructions to viewers - once again in perfect French.

"My French teacher would be so proud," she said, as the audience erupted in cheers and applause.

BBC

Last year’s contest was won by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, who were crowned victors having amassed 631 points from both public and jury votes.

However, due to the ongoing war against Russia in the country, organisers decided it was too risky to host it there for 2023 – as is customary for winning nations – meaning duties fell to the UK, which ended as runner-up.

The UK’s Sam Ryder produced the country’s strongest finish in decades with ‘Space Man’, having won the jury vote for a total of 466 points.

He fared better than any other entry since 1997, which was the last time the UK won Eurovision with Katrina and the Waves’ ‘Love Shine a Light’.

Since then, the UK has finished rock bottom several times - including 2021's entry, where James Newman managed to score zero points.