Graham Norton announced for BBC’s Eurovision 2024 coverage - all the details

Virgin Radio

29 Apr 2024, 09:18

Olly Alexander is set to represent the UK in this year’s Eurovision final, and Graham Norton will be covering the event. 

Following Loreen’s victory in Liverpool with the song Tattoo, the 68th edition of the competition will be taking place in Sweden.

Graham Norton will commentate on the final of the song contest for BBC One and BBC iPlayer when all of the artists take to the stage at Malmo Arena in Sweden on 11th May.

The final will be preceded by the semi-finals on 7th and 9th May. There are 37 countries bidding to be crowned champion, including the UK’s own Olly Alexander, who will perform his track Dizzy as one of the “big five” in the competition, along with France, Germany, Italy and Spain. 

Whilst this means that the UK is already guaranteed a place in the final, Olly and the rest of the “big five” - along with hosts Sweden - will still perform in the semis, but they won’t be competing for votes. This is the first time the “big five” countries and the host country will perform their songs in full during the semis. 

The semi-final is made up of Cyprus, Serbia, Lithuania, Ireland, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Iceland, Slovenia, Finland, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Australia, Portugal and Luxembourg.

The second semi will feature Malta, Albania, Greece, Switzerland, Czechia, Austria, Denmark, Armenia, Latvia, San Marino, Georgia, Belgium, Estonia, Israel, Norway and Netherlands.

The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain will all take part in the final, as will last year’s winner, Sweden. This years comp will feature a HUGE voting shake-up not seen in over a decade. Read more here.

Ahead of his appearance at Eurovision, actor and singer Olly is heading to Albert Square!

He will make a special appearance on EastEnders. He will stop by The Queen Vic pub to “reconnect” with old friend Johnny Carter, and will receive a hero’s welcome before jetting off to represent the UK in the hugely popular singing competition.