The BBC has confirmed how the United Kingdom’s song and act for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be selected. It has confirmed it will join forces again with TaP, the management and music publishing company that selected Sam Ryder.
It follows a hugely successful debut in the 2022 contest for the partnership - which saw Ryder and his song Space Man finishing in second place. It was the UK's best result since 1998, giving the country its first top three result since 2002.
Space Man went on to be a critical and commercial success, topping the Official Singles Sales and Downloads Charts and reaching a peak of number two in the UK Singles Charts. The song has also enjoyed success around the world.
Rachel Ashdown, commissioning editor for the BBC, said: “We are thrilled that Ben Mawson and Ed Millett plus the team at TaP will once again bring their unrivalled expertise to work with the BBC and BBC Studios to find an act and song to represent the UK at Eurovision. I hope we can find another artist who will not only be a brilliant ambassador for Eurovision but like Sam will sing their head off with a stand out song."
Suzy Lamb, MD for BBC Studios Entertainment and Music says: “BBC Studios are looking forward to working closely with the team at TaP again to continue to build on the success of this year's collaboration. After Sam Ryder's incredible result in Turin, we have a hard act to follow, but are looking forward to the challenge of finding a stand-out act and song for Eurovision 2023 that will be cheered on by a home crowd!"
Ben Mawson and Ed Millett at TaP Music says: “TaP are very excited to be back working with the BBC to select the UK entry for Eurovision 2023. Last year we wanted to change the narrative around the UK and Eurovision to something much more positive.
"We focused on what Eurovision is all about - we found an brilliant artist, an unforgettable song and an incredible person in Sam Ryder - we’re so proud of his fantastic success, coming 2nd in the competition and then achieving a number 1 single.
"2022 will be a hard act to follow but we’re more than ready for the challenge - Eurovision being held in the UK for 2023 is such an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of British musical talent. Our search starts here!”
Following Kalush Orchestra’s victory for - and subsequent decision by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that the contest could not be held in Ukraine - the BBC accepted the EBU’s invitation to host the Eurovision in the UK. The host city will be announced later in the autumn.
