Could Eurovision be on its way to Greater Manchester?

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Manchester should be next year’s Eurovision Song Contest host, according to the city’s council leader and a growing army of supporters. Earlier today, it was announced that contest bosses were discussing the possibility of the UK hosting next year’s event with the BBC.

The European Broadcast Union (EBU), which runs the contest, says it is not possible to follow the traditional format of the previous year’s winners welcoming the world in 2023. That’s because Ukraine took home the top prize this year, and the EBU has decided that the country cannot host next year’s contest, due to security concerns amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.

As the UK’s Sam Ryder came second in Turin last month, the EBU has decided to ‘open discussions’ with the BBC over holding the event in the UK. It would be the first time the UK has hosted the contest since 1998, which saw Birmingham open its doors after Katrina and the Waves won the year before.

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And now, Bev Craig — Manchester City Council leader — has said she "can’t think of anywhere better" to play host to Europe. She tweeted: "Hello BBC Eurovision, this is Manchester calling.

"Not the circumstances that anyone would want given the war in Ukraine. But if it’s to be a UK city - I can’t think of anywhere better, a great music city and fittingly home to a large Ukrainian community."

The council’s city centre spokesperson, Pat Karney, also indicated his wish for the global event to be hosted in Manchester for the first time. Speculation is now rife that the music extravaganza really could come to Greater Manchester, after the BBC moved its Eurovision hub to Salford in time for this year’s event.

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