Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Eurovision, Graham Norton, TV and Film, Music
Claire Reid
Graham Norton accidentally revealed the Liverpool Eurovision surprise a little earlier than he was supposed to. Check it out:
Last night, 7 October, the host city for 2023’s Eurovision Song Contest was announced and – as you may have seen by now – Liverpool was named the winner.
Ukrainian rap group Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 event with their song 'Stefania' but due to the ongoing conflict in the country it was announced that Eurovision would be held in the UK next year.
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A long list of potential cities was whittled down to just two, Glasgow and Liverpool, with the winner being read out by Graham Norton live on the BBC’s The One Show last night.
Excitement was built around the announcement, with The One Show sending hosts to both Liverpool and Glasgow for the big reveal.
However, eagle-eyed viewers spotted a slip-up when Norton accidentally shared the winner before he was supposed to.
Norton stood on stage clutching a silver envelope that contained the name of the winning city, he told the audience: “They’ve told me to build the drama, I just want to rip it open!”
He then opened the envelope and pulled out a card that had ‘Eurovision Song Contest, United Kingdom, Liverpool 2023’ written right across the back – somewhat spoiling the ‘big reveal’.
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Seemingly unaware that he was broadcasting the name of the winner, Norton continued to hold the suspense for a little bit longer before announcing: “Liverpool.”
Viewers at home found the whole situation pretty funny with one person posting on Twitter to say: “Incredible scenes during the Eurovision announcement as Graham Norton builds some tension before the big reveal… holding a card saying ‘Liverpool 2023’.”
Another said: “Not Graham Norton taking time in announcing the host city when we could see it on the card.”
While a third commented: “I think everybody knew who was going to host #Eurovision2023 when the reveal was on the front of the card that Graham Norton was holding up to the camera.” alongside a laughing emoji.
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However others felt that it spoilt the build-up a bit, with a Eurovision fan posting: “Classic schoolboy error from Graham Norton there. Those of us who have HD television could quite clearly see that Liverpool had won the Eurovision bid, before its official announcement, just by looking at the special heart logo on the card. A bit of a shame.”
Norton also revealed the exact date 2023's Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place which is 13 May, 2023.
The 67th Eurovision Song Contest marks the ninth time the event has been held in the UK.