Huw Edwards reveals his hopes to host Eurovision 2023 in Cardiff

‘Your presenter is standing by’: Huw Edwards, 60, hopes to HOST Eurovision 2023 in his native Cardiff – as competition returns to the UK

Huw Edwards has revealed his hopes to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, after it was announced the annual competition would be held in the UK.

The BBC newsreader, 60, made the proposal in a Monday tweet after journalist Grant Tucker claimed the extravaganza should be held in Huw’s native Cardiff.

After organisers concluded it would not be possible to host it in Ukraine due to the ongoing war with Russia, the UK – who came second in this year’s competition – stepped up, however a city has not been announced yet.

Fingers crossed! Huw Edwards has revealed his hopes to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, after it was announced the annual competition would be held in the UK

Grant initially wrote on Twitter: ‘The host city has to be Cardiff. The Principality Stadium is one of the best live music venues in the country, & the city has a huge BBC base.

‘It’s a travesty it’s not been held in the land of song before. Plus Wales + Ukraine have strong links dating back over a century.’

Huw replied: ‘This is so obviously right and your presenter is standing by ❤️@Eurovision @BBCOne @BBCCymruWales #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision.’

Ukraine won the right to host the glitzy pan-continental music competition when its entry, from the folk-rap ensemble Kalush Orchestra, won this year’s contest in May as Britain’s Sam Ryder was second.

Hosts: After organisers concluded it would not be possible to host it in Ukraine due to the ongoing war with Russia , the UK – who came second in this year’s competition – stepped up

However the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – which runs Eurovision – said it had concluded that ‘regrettably, next year’s event could not be held in Ukraine for safety and security reasons’.

In place, it announced, the BBC had agreed to host the show on behalf of Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC.

Ukraine will automatically qualify for the grand final alongside the so-called big five nations – the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, who each get a free pass because of their financial contributions to the event. 

According to the EBU’s announcement, a ‘bidding process’ to decide the host city will be launched this week.

Hopeful: The BBC newsreader, 60, made the proposal in a Monday tweet after journalist Grant Tucker claimed the extravaganza should be held in Huw’s native Cardiff

London, Manchester and Sheffield all said Monday that they would apply. 

Sheffield City Council was among the first to announce a bid, saying on Twitter: ‘We’ve told Eurovision we’d love to host…watch this space.’

Manchester City Council confirmed it was also putting in a bid, with its leader Bev Craig tweeting: ‘A world class music city, brilliant venues, experience in hosting major events, and of course one of the UK’s largest Ukrainian populations – we are confident we will make it a #eurovision to remember.’

Announcing London’s bid, mayor Sadiq Khan said the city was ‘ready and willing to step in’ with a contest that ‘celebrates the people of Ukraine and shows off the very best of Britain’.

Winners: Ukraine won the right to host the glitzy pan-continental music competition when its entry, from the folk-rap ensemble Kalush Orchestra, won this year’s contest in May

Glasgow also previously expressed an interest in hosting the contest with the city’s OVO Hydro arena saying it would be ‘delighted’ to be involved in discussions.

In June, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also backed the city to host, tweeting: ‘I can think of a perfect venue on banks of the River Clyde!!’

It will be the ninth time Eurovision has taken place in the UK – more than any other country.

The EBU’s statement added: ‘The BBC has staged the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other broadcaster, hosting in London in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977, Edinburgh in 1972, Brighton in 1974, Harrogate in 1982 and Birmingham in 1998.’

Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC said: ‘It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

‘Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege.

‘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.’ 

Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be staged in Britain, organizers announced Monday (Britain’s runner-up contestant Sam Ryder pictured earlier this year)

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