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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Eurovision 2023 viewers complain minutes into final as they make plea to Graham Norton

Eurovision Song Contest viewers were thrilled to have the 2023 final on screens on Saturday night, but there was also a big complaint.

Within minutes of the show kicking off, some fans called out host and commentator Graham Norton.

The show kicked off with an incredible intro, that saw last year's winners Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine return to perform their hit Stefania.

While they eventually performed on the stage at the arena in Liverpool, where the final is being held, the intro video started off in what looked like a train station.

It featured guest performances from the likes of Joss Stone, Kate Middleton and others performing in different clips.

Viewers were loving the moment and also praised champions Kalush Orchestra for making such a triumphant return.

Eurovision Song Contest viewers were thrilled to have the 2023 final on screens on Saturday night (BBC)

But not everyone was enjoying it, and some viewers had a huge complaint concerning host Graham.

As each new familiar face joined the band in the special video, Graham told fans who they were and what was going on.

But the constant narration over the vocals was apparently too much for some, as many fans took to Twitter to beg Graham to stop commentating while the singing was going on.

One viewer tweeted: "Wtf, will somebody please tell Graham Norton to shut the f**k up so can hear what they are singing."

Another complained: "Graham Norton just shut the hell up tryna listen to the music," as a third fan added: "Why is Graham talking all over this?! Sshhhhhh."

A fourth fan begged: "Stop talking and let us enjoy the music, Graham!!"

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 kicked off on Saturday night (Andy Von Pip/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)

Other viewers were just pleased to have Eurovision and Graham back after a year away, loving his witty comments.

The big event comes after TikTok star Sam Ryder bagged second place for the UK with his song SPACE MAN last year, and now there's high hopes for this year's UK entry; Mae Muller, who is set to perform I Wrote A Song.

Ukraine won Eurovision last year, meaning the nation faced the prospect of hosting the show in 2023, according to the rules of the competition.

However, due to the Russian invasion, it wasn't possible, as Eurovision organisers quickly ruled out staging it in the war-torn country.

The BBC agreed to host the competition in the UK in 2023 after Sam finished in second place – and Liverpool was picked as the host city to hold the star-studded event.

There are 26 acts performing on Saturday night. The running order was decided by a draw.

The UK is performing last this year, with many left complaining over the placement as a 'fix' as it's thought to be the trickiest spot to perform in.

In terms of the UK automatically qualifying for Eurovision, as part of the contest’s guidelines, there are a selection of "big five" countries which automatically qualify for the grand final.

The big five countries are those who make the biggest financial contribution to the competition.

A statement on Eurovision website reads: "The Big Five are the Participating Broadcasters from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – the group of countries who via their broadcasters make the biggest financial contribution towards the organisation of the contest."

In 2023, the UK government pledged £10million for the competition.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.

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