It’s been one of the worst kept secrets this year, but finally SVT have confirmed that Eurovision 2016 will be hosted by reigning champ Måns Zelmerlöw and 2013 presenter Petra Mede.

The announcement was made today by ESC 2016 executive producer Martin Österdahl at a press conference held by host broadcaster SVT. Despite a recent tradition of having a seperate green room host in the show, it appears that Petra and Måns will be doing any green room duty themselves.

Måns Zelmerlöw

There's good chemistry between Måns and Petra.
There’s good chemistry between Måns and Petra.

Ever since he won in Vienna, the big question was if Måns would be involved in hosting Eurovision 2016. Måns publicly admitted he was interested, but wouldn’t divulge any further information.

As well as his music career, Måns is an experienced presenter on Swedish television. He first hosted Lilla Melodifestivalen in 2007, and later hosted Melodifestivalen in 2010, where he proved he could get serious with the results and go crazy with Dolph Lundgren. From 2011 to 2013, Måns was also the host of the long-running singalong show Allsång på Skansen.

Måns isn’t the only Eurovision participant to return as a presenter. In recent years, Stefan Raab, Eldar Gasimov and Conchita Wurst have come back to host the song contest.

Petra Mede

After Petra successfully hosted Eurovision 2013, she was a popular choice to return in 2016. Petra is an experienced entertainer, and fluent in Swedish, English and French — a talent which gave her the rare ability to host the Malmö shows all by herself. Petra also hosted Melodifestivalen 2009, and along with Graham Norton, she co-hosted Eurovision’s Greatest Hits. As well as co-hosting Eurovision 2016, Petra will also kick off Melfest 2016, co-hosting the first semi-final with Gina Diwari.

Petra joins the elite group of hosts who have presented Eurovision more than once. French host Jacqueline Joubert presented shows in 1959 and 1961, while British television legend Katie Boyle is unbeaten with four shows, in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1974.

https://youtu.be/4yARWm2tMzg

Also on board for 2016 is writer Edward af Sillén, the man behind the lively scripts for 2013 and Eurovision’s Greatest Hits earlier this year. He’ll be writing for Stockholm and also directing the shows. He’s got this licked!

What do you think of the 2016 hosts? Should Petra have hosted alone again? Or should SVT have paired Måns with someone new? Share your thoughts below!

Follow all our Eurovision 2016 news here

Image: SVT

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Briekimchi
Briekimchi
8 years ago

Great news!
Petra was one of the few hosts who enhanced the show rather than being an irritant to be endured.

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
8 years ago

I think SVT made a good choice. But I am a little bit annoyed that Petra is hosting again. Don’t get me wrong, I love Petra. But SVT has a wide, colourful and talented presenting elite. They should’ve branched out.

I, personally, would’ve picked Sarah Dawn Finer as Måns’ co host. She can sing, she’s funny, she’s bubbly and most of all, she loves Eurovision (as indeed does Petra).

Sarmi1995
Sarmi1995
8 years ago

Dirawi** autocorrect does it again haha

Sarmi1995
Sarmi1995
8 years ago

Everyone is slacking Petra off but she was such a professional host handling it so well on her own and even did part of the interval act, not many people can do that considering esc was over 3 and a half hours. And BBC choosing her for the 60th anniversary says something i.e. She does an amazing job hosting. Personally i would have loved to have seen Gina Diraei host it to see a new face presenting but im really happy with Petra and as for Måns im pretty sure he’ll do a superb job

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

This is Sweden pulling off a Carrie Crowley-Ronan Keating act, where the female presenter is taller, sassier and over-protective of her young male partner. I don’t mind the age difference, but I hope it won’t show in how their role playing is acted out. I expect them to push the envelope with their wit, charm and character interactions and not shy away from the obvious cradle robber /toy boy jokes to follow suit.

Julian
Julian
8 years ago

Presenters who want to steal the show, racist, aggressive and mocking the artists/countries they do not like. Yeah, they will be the “dream hosts”.

Auggie
Auggie
8 years ago

I’m a bit disappointed by SVT. Mans is GREAT! I think he’s more than fit for the hosting gig, but why in the whole world Petra AGAIN?! I’m deeply sorry if anyone finds her either great or the best choice. In 2013, she was just alright, not the best, not the worst, just there. Out of all recent hosting teams, Copenhague’s 2014 team was FABULOUS! Couldn’t ask for any better hosts than Lise, Pilou & Nikolaj, and Germany’s 2011 team lead by Anke was FANTASTIC! Those were the best hosting gigs that I can remember. With props to 2006, 2008… Read more »

Omar - Mexico
Omar - Mexico
8 years ago

Gina instead of Petra would be great. But yeah, anything will be better than Vienna’s hosts.

Zach
Zach
8 years ago

I’d really like to find out when the logo comes out I hope it’s soon and also a really good design

Darren
Darren
8 years ago

Regarding the language, or accent issue, as an Irish guy who speaks Hiberno-English (English with a direct translation from Irish) can I just weigh in and say that a non-native English speaker’s accent probably depends on the accent of the language teacher they had. I mean if somebody from say, France was to learn English from an American, it would be slightly different to somebody who learned English from somebody from Britain. I dont think Petra’s accent or dialect is weird, she probably learned English from someone upper class, but thats just my opinion.

Mei International
Mei International
8 years ago

Theyll be great! I think Mans will be a great compliment to Petras wit! Cant wait for May already

Bruno B @ Geeky Explorer

iIn my opinion Petra is by far the best host the contest has ever seen. Can’t wait!

lily
lily
8 years ago

@robyn gallagher Måns Zelmerlöws seems to have released Should have gone home (Je suis qu’un homme) in French today. I have no idea why, do you? A little practising for the french speaking part, lol?

Nott
Nott
8 years ago

I’m so glad Petra will be hosting the ESC once again, in my opinion she’s by far the best host the contest has ever seen. Go Petra.

aari
aari
8 years ago

I’m happy with Petra but not Måns ew

ct greece
ct greece
8 years ago

Yes I wish it was Sanna instead of Petra too. I don’t understand the obsession of the swedes over Petra. Do they find her that funny?

Charles
Charles
8 years ago

@EugeneESCUK: Appreciate your answer but allow me to remind you: NO ONE outside our country truly speaks RP (not even we do it for heaven’s sake) therefore whatever weird you may find in Petra’s accent is only part of her comedic character … she does not, shes does not even have to try to sound like us Eugene … after all like my old grandpa sadly used to say “f*** all those Europeans trying to think they are us”. The UK vs. Europe is just not a very happy issue to discuss and trying to understand the way certain people… Read more »

Maya G
Maya G
8 years ago

I’m one of those few who don’t find Petra entertaining. To me she came off as stiff and condescending in 2013, lacking the charm and spontaneity great hosts like Anke Engelke and Mikko Leppilampi possess. Also the constant pandering to the gay fandom was really annoying IMO.

Marco
Marco
8 years ago

I seem to be the only one here who isn’t happy about the choice of Mans as a presenter. To me he just lacks the special charisma for presenting and hosting a show. He seems a bit like a robot to me, not a very mechanic one, but somehow unnatural and pretending. I’m not sure he will be able to connect with the viewers as a host. But that’s just my opinion and I’m happy to see the contrary in May 😉

Jonas
Jonas
8 years ago

Petra and Måns are an great choice. Excellent news!

Lynda Woodruff needs to stay the hell away from the Globen, though.

KayR
KayR
8 years ago

Sanna 🙁

Iberian
Iberian
8 years ago

Messi is so cute and adorable.

cathal
cathal
8 years ago

Larson my French but f*ck yeah!!!!!!!!!

Denis
Denis
8 years ago

What’s the topic about accents? Let’s not attack Eugene here and suggest that he speaks Swedish? Why should he? However as a native speaker of English Eugene have every right to comment on accents and he’s right in that tit sounds “weird” since most U.K speakers don’t sound like that. And everyone who has been to the U.K can confirm this. I went to London, all sorts of English being heard, nothing like this fancy regal English. But as I explained earlier, RP English is the “school English” here in Sweden. That’s how we are being thought in primary school,… Read more »

Azaad
Azaad
8 years ago

Petra gets to host everything because save for Graham Norton (and let’s be honest the Brits aren’t going to be winning the contest anytime soon) she is the best multilingual presenter in Europe. She manages to maintain a decent command of English while being quite funny.

Although I would’ve preferred to see Gina host.

Nikos
Nikos
8 years ago

Petra Mede is the best, so happy!

cheesecake
cheesecake
8 years ago

Happy about the fact that it’s a duo and there’s no green room host (apparently). Happy about Mans as well.
Not happy, however, with Petra. SVT should’ve given a chance to someone new…

Kjetil
Kjetil
8 years ago

We need Lynda Woodruff in the greenroom

lily
lily
8 years ago

So funny that he kind of used Eurovision to get out of hosting and then ends up hosting it! And yeah, definitely Messi for the green room!!

Sarah
Sarah
8 years ago

LYNDA WOODRUFF FOR THE GREEN ROOM!! THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN SHE NEEDS TO HOST THE GREEN ROOM. ITS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY IN THE GREEN ROOM LIKE IN 2007 SHE WAS GREAT HAHA

dutchie
dutchie
8 years ago

@eugenesc
As a non-native speaker, I agree with you. I find the Swedish accent much more charming than a Swede trying to sound like the Queen’s grandmother (and, of course, never quite succeeding).

PP
PP
8 years ago

After this news I expect cheep stage like stage from 2013. Maybe we had stage like stage from 1975.
Intresting Swedeh nost 4 time and first time they had no good stage in 1975, in 1985 they had good stage, in 1992 another no good stage, 2000 good stage and best stage from 1989 to 2001 for me. In 2013 one of worst stage from 2000 to 2012. Time for good stage , but SVT want Eurovision to be so cheep that I expect stage mix between 1975 and 2013.

NickC
NickC
8 years ago

I am also happy. But I think they should add Sarah Dawn Finer as well. Then it would be perfect

DenizNL
DenizNL
8 years ago

Yeah! I like that.

Mario = Legend
Mario = Legend
8 years ago

I would love to see Eugene trying to speak Swedish… Darn I’m sure Petra speaks much better English than you do Swedish!!! It is notoriously difficult. I always get confused with all the different vowels and their sounds. Give her some slack she was amazing in Malmö and I can’t wait for her to host again. 🙂 But once again….. A negative comment from Eugene. Yawning.

Sarah
Sarah
8 years ago

Yay!! So happy its not måns by himself I said I would be happy for him with Petra but not by himself! Really happy about that!!

#TeamDirawi
#TeamDirawi
8 years ago

Petra..again? She is so overrated host..Gina Dirawi would’ve been better.

Charles
Charles
8 years ago

@EugeneESCUK: Although I can agree with you on your views about Petra, I couldn’t stop laughing on your remarks quote “Petra’s awkward English pronunciation” as if she was te only person to sound awkward when trying to speak in English. Have you ever heard other Swedes speaking in English with the Swedish intonation always creeping in? Agnetha or Frida for instance … And not to mention literally almost every ESC contestant who attempts to sing in English but pretty sure he or she does not know a word of what they are singing about requiring a translator during press conferences… Read more »

Blah
Blah
8 years ago

I’m so happy about this choice! Petra is my favorite Eurovision host of the decade, I couldn’t see the contest happening without her this year. Måns was also very good at Melfest back in 2010, so I’m really looking forward to 2016 when it comes to Eurovision!

Jerome
Jerome
8 years ago

This is just “great”.
First, the venue is recycled now the host is recycled too! Not to throw shade at Petra Mede, who was an awesome host in 2013 but Sweden, you have a wide range of other talented people that are absolutely capable of hosting Eurovision! But instead, they’ll be hosting Melodifestivalen! And speaking of, don’t screw up Melodifestivalen 2016 like you did Melodifestivalen 2013!! You have a second chance of keeping the momentum going, so don’t kill it!
Angry rant, over. (take a deep breath)

Jasmine
Jasmine
8 years ago

@EugeneESCUK

“Satisfied with just Allsång på Skansen”

It’s extremely evident that you’re not a swede, because if you were you’d know just how big of an honor that is. I’d say that it’s because of hosting Allsång that Måns Zelmerlöw stayed relevant in the world outside of Melfest/ESC. But as hardcore ESC fans we do tend to forget that such a world even exsists, I guess.

MirkoJoshua
MirkoJoshua
8 years ago

Petra Mede ?

Hippo
Hippo
8 years ago

I always think a male female partnership works best- last year was pretty poor and Petra on her own in 2013 was a bit much.

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
8 years ago

Petra again? Really?

Darren
Darren
8 years ago

Yes, I am happy about this definitely 🙂 Petra was an excellent presenter of the 2013 show and of course the 60th Anniversary show, so I know she will pull this off. Mans is also very capable.

Would have liked a third host for the Green Room though.

Pedro
Pedro
8 years ago

When you have found the funny in Petra call me please… gosh..

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

Petra is one of the newest 7 wonders of the world.
Dana International predicted back in 1998 that we are going to Petra…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRX7vYLP8jo

Anouska
Anouska
8 years ago

Yesssss! My dream team! This news has made me SO HAPPY!
I can’t wait to see Måns and Petra bringing some laughs and engage in some flirty banter together.

Viktor
Viktor
8 years ago

So unbelievably excited for this! Måns was so good as the host of Allsång på Skansen, and Petra did ESC 2013 and the 60th anniversary show so incredibly well. Now I just hope that Edward af Sillén is responsible for the script and directing, because (at least imo) that would mean that this just can’t go wrong.

PP
PP
8 years ago

I m not happy with Petra choice. She try so hard to be funny.