He’s the massive favourite to host Eurovision 2023 in the United Kingdom. But presenter and late night chat show host Graham Norton appears to have ruled himself out of the gig.

On Wednesday Graham visited ITV’s This Morning and sat down with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (the infamous stars of the recent #QueueGate). 

Graham asked the famous duo if they wanted to host Eurovision and Holly replied: “Well, it’s your job, surely?”

Maybe not.

Graham, who has provided the BBC commentary since Eurovision 2009 in Moscow, made it clear he likes his current role.

“I don’t want to give up the commentating. If I stop the commentating someone else will do it and they might be better than me and then I’ll lose that job.”

Graham was elusive when asked by Phil if conversations have been taking place. The Fire Saga star said: “I might wander on a wave and then run back to my rabbit hutch.”

When the UK last hosted Eurovision in 1998, commentator Terry Wogan did both the commentary and the hosting. Producers built him a separate commentary booth and placed it just behind the stage (whereas normally the commentary booths are a bit further afield in the venue). 

When asked about whether Liverpool or Glasgow would make the better host city, Graham played it safe, saying that either would be a good choice.

However, when asked by Scotland’s News at Six on Tuesday, Graham tailored his answer for the local audience.

“I think Glasgow would be a great place to have it. You’ve got the amazing venues, you’ve got the hotels, airports, the trains and the banter.”

“Every taxi driver of Glasgow is going to be saying: ‘Yes! Come on!’ Glasgow would be a great place to have it.”

 

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Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

I thought Ukraine were sending over hosts if they could, so the assumption from UK media that Graham will be hosting is a bit of a surprise to me. It’s probably no surprise to him though, haha.

Dane
Dane
1 year ago

i think it should be a ukrainian host. They won, and I hope it will be clear in the contest next year. It is only in UK because Ukraine cant, during to the war 🙁

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago

We need a a British presenter who can speak a bit of Ukrainian (or can learn in time). The only possibility is Tomasz Schaffernaker.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Fatima

Isn’t the lovely Tomasz Polish? But I do think he’d be a great host.

Sally R
Sally R
1 year ago

I’m surprised but glad in opens up the chance to some other potential presenters, and he can continue to commentate.

I’d love all the presenters to be long term supporters of the contest so my choices would be Rylan and Mel Giedroyc (who can speak French) along with Timur Miroshnychenko.

I’d love to see Scott Mills involved somehow too, potentially him and AJ Odudu doing the allocation draws and bits on the turquoise carpet

Yudhistira Mahasena
1 year ago

Good for him. Graham is old (60 next year); he can’t tackle both MC-ing and commenting at the same time. Otherwise maybe Scott and Rylan should provide commentary for all three live shows; the first time it could happen in the UK’s Eurovision history. Graham is basically letting the younger British artists to host Eurovision 2023. Someone who may have experience in hosting a large-scale show like the Eurovision Song Contest. For Perrie Edwards, Louis Tomlinson, and Mel C, I don’t know, but if next year’s contest is held in Liverpool and not Glasgow, this is a chance not to… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Once people hit 60, they should be floated off on an iceberg never to be seen again. I agree.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

As a 60 plus it’s a shame you’ve missed so much Eurovision History as it happened. Take note. Italy 2022 Gigliola Cinqueti 1964 winner 70plus performance and Lulu 1969 winner pushing for Glasgow. By the way 1998 i was in the arena in Birmingham so it made me laugh when William and Deban couldn’t remember if Terry Wogan did both. We 60’S no more than you think.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

Sorry. I was not serious. I just have a strange sense of humour only I find funny. Gigliola was maybe favourite part of this year’s whole contest.

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I’m having the words “too old to live” spray-painted on my forehead

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago

I think, realistically, the one thing we can fully expect from a BBC-produced Eurovision is a level of diversity in the presenting team that we do not always get from other countries. As such, until somebody gives me reason to think otherwise, someone who’d do a great job and who I think could get involved is Clara Amfo. I also still think Timor Miroshnychenko is pretty likely to one of them, too. After that, it would be great to get a BIG name from the UK music scene to complete it. Even having Sam Ryder back with his personality would… Read more »

Rall
Rall
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

They should be choosing the presenters that they think will do the best job. Diversity should have nothing to do with it.

Also I don’t think it would be as difficult to get a well known name to present the show as it is to get well known/established artists to compete in the actual contest.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  Rall

I see the word “should” a lot there, and that’s definitely another conversation to be had, but I’m merely focusing on what I expect to be the case and and the best case scenario I can make of it. :3

As Sally said above though, AJ Odudu is probably the most likeliest inclusion as she gave the UK’s points last year. I always prefer if the presenters of Eurovision have a bit more of a musical inclination and would rather someone like Clara…but that’s just for me really.

Akira
Akira
1 year ago

It’s so sad. Maybe Rylan Clark Neal becomes a presenter of Eurovision 2023 with Davina McCall and Mel Giedroyc.

He’s basically a good candidate. By the way, he was also a Eurovision commentator.

P.S. I don’t want to see Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

Yudhistira Mahasena
1 year ago
Reply to  Akira

*is

Paul
Paul
1 year ago

I want to know who would be the host who could di the French bits. I read somewhere that Davina McCall can speak French. She’d do a great job. I’d like Mel Giedroyc to do it as well. If it’s in Glasgow – I’d love Lorraine Kelly to be involved

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul

Wait, the Lorraine Kelly who thinks the contest is racist and likened poor zalagaspar to serial killers? That Lorraine Kelly?

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
1 year ago

It’s kinda like the idea of London hosting Eurovision… I’m sure it will be flawless but I wanna see a different face for once.

Yudhistira Mahasena
1 year ago

Why wasn’t London in the shortlist of Eurovision 2023 host city candidates? They have the O2 Arena, that’d be dope.

TJCat
TJCat
1 year ago

It wasn’t because London wasn’t shortlisted London didn’t put itself forward

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago

Unrelated but Montenegro unconfirmed lol

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

Let’s wait until the full participation list is out. If Montenegro are back, they’re back, but if they’re not, they’re not.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Yeah.

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

Let’s him doing both he would do a great job, to see him running between his two jobs would be fun to follow, moreover as a host on stage he could feel exactly the atmosphere during the shows and could transcribe it with more accuracy in his commentaries.

Esc a00ddict
Esc a00ddict
1 year ago

Let’s him doing both he would do a great job, to see him running between his two jobs would be fun to follow, moreover as a host on stage he could feel exactly the atmosphere during the shows and could transcribe it with more accuracy in his commentaries.

Henno
Henno
1 year ago

Phil Schofield and Holly Willoughby presenting… I couldn’t think of anything worse, TBH.

Boozyfloozy69
Boozyfloozy69
1 year ago
Reply to  Henno

One way for them to not queue for tickets!

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago
Reply to  Henno

Prince Andrew and Matt Hancock?

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

That’s not a huge surprise, nor a disappointment. Graham’s right, they need him up in the booth (although I don’t necessarily think it’s because his replacement might be BETTER at the job, per se). Unlike the late T-Wogz, even in a year where the UK did badly (which is to say, through a lot of his time as commentator), he’d always at least jokingly play up his disappointment instead of caving in to bitterness, and has always been gracious both to the winning country and to the UK’s representative(s). Which is why 2022 was such a joy to watch via… Read more »

John
John
1 year ago

As it is he currently takes a week off from the Graham Norton Show to travel to Eurovision. Hosting (even in the UK) would likely take him out of his regular show for 3-4 weeks. Perhaps BBC is not willing to do that.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  John

I don’t think that’s it. His show is not on for as many weeks in the year as it used to be. It starts later and finishes earlier. The last series ended weeks before the contest in Torino, and this is also why James Newman or Sam Ryder never got to be on the couch. He doesn’t work as much so he can go home to Ireland to be with his elderly mother, and write his books.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I noticed that. It is much shorter seasons now. Now they don’t start until October and ends in April where previously they lasted all the way through June. Understandebly but also sad since I find it the best talk show on air..

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Denis

Yeah, and he takes big long breaks halfway through the year too. I think he’s kinda over it, with writing being his first love now.

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
1 year ago

Here are my two cents on who could host it: In the UK’s context, hosting a show like X Factor or Strictly Come Dancing is the best experience that a presenter can and should have for hosting Eurovision, especially if they have been doing it for many years. I think Dermot O’Leary has an advantage because the final of X Factor would be hosted in front of an audience of 10-12,000 people and held over two consecutive nights, as well as his experience hosting big award shows at the O2 in London (which holds 20,000 people). There are very few… Read more »

Akira
Akira
1 year ago

Why not. But I think there are other candidates for the role of presenters whom I would like to see at Eurovision 2023.

For semi-final allocation draw: Maya Jama & Jonathan Ross
For opening ceremony: Alan Carr, Alison Hammond, & Dermot O’Leary
For semi-finals, and grand final: Jack Whitehall, Davina McCall, Mel Giedroyc, & Rylan Clark Neal (Green Room)

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
1 year ago
Reply to  Akira

I think Scott Mills will host the allocation draw, together with someone like Zoe Ball or Rylan. Rylan will probably be one of the hosts of the opening ceremony, together with Mel Giedroyc or AJ Odudu. Then I would say Dermot, Tess, Claudia or Mel for the shows themselves. Don’t discount people like Rochelle or Marvin Humes, or Ore Oduba either (I think it’d be fantastic to have a black male presenter because we’ve never had one before. We’ve had three black female presenters, but never a black male presenter, so why not this year?). It might be a good… Read more »

Akira
Akira
1 year ago

Scott Mills is unlikely becomes a presenter of allocation draw. He may stay as commentator of semi-finals.

While Rylan may become a presenter of green room during semi-finals and grand final.

Akira
Akira
1 year ago

Allocation draw: Maya Jama is my favorite presenter, if she becomes a presenter of allocation draw, that would be perfect. Jonathan Ross is also good candidate for presenter of allocation draw

Opening ceremony: Why you don’t choose Alan Carr, & Alison Hammond? They also have good roles. Plus, if Dermot O’Leary also joins in opening ceremony. That would be fantastic

Semi-finals & grand final: I can assume that Davina McCall, Mel Giedroyc, & Jack Whitehall will become a presenter of this contest. While Rylan will become a presenter of green room

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

Aww, I was hoping for him to host. We see that people who are genuinely funny can actually make hosting all the more amusing, we’ve seen that in both years Petra Mede hosted. Regardless, I hope that whoever will host will do it well.

Nils
Nils
1 year ago

Oh boy … I was more than certain, he’d host it. This news is the definition of a pity.

I’d love to know the real reasons, though. For TV hosts in the Western hemisphere, there simply is no bigger stage than Eurovision, therefore I’m really not buying his explanation at all.

UpinSpaceFan
UpinSpaceFan
1 year ago

Good news. Graham’s commentary is iconic, and just because Wogan did it in ’98 doesn’t mean Graham should or could do it today. Leave the main hosting duties to others.

Skdkf
Skdkf
1 year ago
Reply to  UpinSpaceFan

Exactly the show only consisted of one show then and just one set of voting it’s almost a different show now and wouldn’t be simple to execute it

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

I think he can do both. Like in 1998, just show up at the start and end and leave all the hard parts to someone else. I’m just not sure he wants much more rehearsal time or publicity work – he seems to have cut down on his television work to spend more time writing his books. Unless they really make him an offer he can’t refuse, I doubt it’ll be him.

Zisk
Zisk
1 year ago

Graham panders way too hard to the crowd of Brits that only want Eurovision to be a silly little joke of the contest and think most of the artists are terrible and novelty acts. Though I suppose if Mika can host after calling the contest trash, anything is plausible.