The BBC has confirmed that both semi-finals of Eurovision 2022 in Turin are returning to BBC Three for viewers in the United Kingdom.
That follows the network’s return as a linear TV channel after being relegated online in 2016. The move comes almost seven years after BBC Three last broadcast Eurovision from Vienna in 2015.
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BBC Three had been broadcasting the Eurovision semi-finals since they were introduced back in 2004. After the channel was reborn as online platform, though, BBC Four took over the live broadcasts of both semi-finals for Stockholm in 2016 until last year’s contest in Rotterdam.
Scott Mills, who has been commenting on the semi-finals since 2011, had this to say:
“Eurovision is one of my highlights of the year! I’m so looking forward to getting back in the commentary box with Rylan and bringing BBC Three viewers all the action from Turin.”
After missing out on last year’s contest due to illness, Rylan Clark is ready to get back in the hot seat:
“I’m so excited to be back for Eurovision 2022 and even more excited to be heading to BBC Three! Myself and Scott love the show and after a few years away from the physical Eurovision bubble we both can’t wait to bring you ALL the semi-final action live from Turin. We promise we will make this year bigger and better than ever before and I can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!”
The United Kingdom had been allocated to vote in the Second Semi-Final alongside Germany and Spain. Their entry has yet to be confirmed but TaP Music’s Ben Mawson has announced the search for James Newman’s successor is “getting really close”.
Oh I totally misunderstood, thought they were having an NF with three semis
If only.
Hmm…I wonder why Chealsea Grimes is not co-hosting again…wink wink
Oh god I hope not.
Honestly, I could really do without Scott Mills.
Awww nooo. Any particular reason? (I mean it could be anything.)
The cutaway comedy segments he’s involved with are always proper cringe.
But also, like Craig says. He’s always making little snide remarks that he thinks are really funny but just aren’t.
I know this shows my age but I really used to like it when Sara Cox was involved.
N.B. Both Scott and Sara together provided the commentary to ESC Semi Finals in 2021 when Rylan was unwell. Sorry if you missed that; it was hilarious in SF1.
Sara and Rylan were great, so warm. They both radiate and come across as sincere.
I’m with Brie, Scott is appalling. He pronounced almost half the names wrong and not only does he talk over items, what he says is often drivel. His penchant for sarcasm would be more palatable if it had a bit of depth to it—but it’s all very shallow. It’s not that what he says is crass, he’s just dull. I don’t find him well suited to Eurovision at all—his aloofness comes across as insincere and charmless.
Exactly, it could be anything. He’s a headache from top to toe lmao
Agreed. Not a fan. He ‘loves’ the contest in the same sneering way Terry Wogan did.
aw no. i’ve read his autobiography. I can relate to him. Cut him some slack. #bekind
I was going to joke that Eurovision Semis have gone back to the BBC’s “pink corner,” except that the BBC Three logo is now coloured Green! So perhaps Scott and Rylan need to be environmentally-friendly now? It’s fine, enjoy the commentary and have a good time. I’ll be on stand-by if one of them gets ill (and if Mel is unavailable). 😀
Bring back Mel Giedroyc
Her insisting on calling Eurovision “Eurovizsh” was like nails on a chalkboard for me. Not sure why but I found it intolerable!
I got excited thinking it was the artist announcement…