Eurovision

Both semi-finals and the final itself will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The contest will be taking place in Sweden, with the Grand Final taking place in the Malmö Arena on Saturday 11 May next year.

The BBC has also confirmed that the search for the United Kingdom’s act and song entry took place over the Summer. It was led by Lee Smithurst, executive producer at BBC Studios and Will Wilkin, commissioning executive at BBC Music.

Details over the UK’s entry, though, are yet to be announced.

"Top that, Sweden!" joked Kate Phillips, challenging the hosts of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Just a few weeks earlier, a worldwide audience of 162 million – an all-time high – had watched Loreen win the contest for a second time.

Phillips, the BBC’s Director of Unscripted and Eurovision Lead, was talking at a packed RTS event that threw a spotlight on how the corporation staged the Europop jamboree at the Liverpool Arena in such spectacular fashion.

Catherine Tate (The Catherine Tate Show, Doctor Who) will be succeeding the likes of Amanda Holden, Richard Osman, Mel Giedroyc and Nigella Lawson as the UK spokesperson.

However, unlike her predecessors, Tate will be delivering the UK’s National Jury scores live from the very same arena the contest is taking place in - making UK Eurovision history.

Joining Tate in the arena will be the official hosts Graham Norton (The Graham Norton Show), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), singer Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina.

Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD?

Tuesday

Channel 4, 9.00pm

Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson has spent most of his life forgetting appointments, losing car keys and having an inordinate amount of energy. After years of friends, girlfriends and family suggesting he shows signs of ADHD, Thompson has decided to seek a diagnosis.

Last October, the BBC and the European Broadcasting Union chose Liverpool – standing in for war-torn Ukraine, the 2022 winners – to host this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

UK entry Sam Ryder, singing Space Man, came a strong second last year. Without the sympathy votes cast for Ukraine’s admittedly decent song, the long-haired Essex lad may even have won.

The Games

Monday

ITV, 9.00pm

After 16 years off the air, The Games is back for more celebrity sporting competitions.

After a year-long break due to the pandemic, Eurovision is back, bigger and better than ever!

This year's contest will welcome 26 countries to battle it out for the 2021 trophy, including the United Kingdom's entry James Newman. 

Hosted in Rotterdam, Graham Norton will be back with his brilliantly scathing and joyous commentary throughout the proceedings.

Once again, Graham Norton will be bringing his trademark irreverent commentary to provide the laughs while the performances bring the marvellous high camp spectacle. 

The UK hasn’t won since 1997, with Katrina and the Waves’ hymn Love Shines a Light, but the Brit Award-winning singer James Newman will be hoping to end our 23-year drought with his single Embers.

With a selection of the weird and wonderful, here’s a rundown of the all-time most iconic Eurovision performances in its history:

Norton will be presenting his 12th Eurovision Song Contest on BBC One, following on from his role commentating last year’s Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light in the wake of a cancelled live final due to the pandemic.

The Brit-award winning singer James Newman will be representing the UK with his single Embers.

There will be a mix of special programmes and a look back at some classic moments from Eurovision.

Famous faces Graham Norton, Ken Bruce and Rylan Clark-Neal will help bring the Eurovision spirt into viewers homes. 

Graham Norton described Eurovision as a form of “escapism” for people especially during these times.

He added: “This year people at home can celebrate the amazing spirit of the event and hopefully get the chance to take their mind off the current situation for a few hours.”