“Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham will join talk show host Graham Norton, “Britain’s Got Talent” judge Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina as hosts of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest final on May 13th.
The UK is hosting on behalf of 2022 winner Ukraine, which cannot stage the event due to Russia’s ongoing invasion. More than 160 million are expected to watch the competition globally.
Norton is the BBC’s longtime commentator of Eurovision and on the night will be alternating hosting duties with commentating. Mel Giedroyc will take over the commentary box in those moments when Norton is on stage.
Waddingham, who plays soccer club owner Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ series, says in a statement: “It’s one of the world’s greatest music festivals, but this year, perhaps more than ever, it is such a great honour to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, a country which has carried itself with such strength and unity. It is my great privilege to join Eurovision this year of all years.”
The three female co-hosts will also front the two semi-finals on May 9th and 11th before Norton joins them for the grand final on the 13th at Liverpool Arena.
Source: EuroVision
