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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Magdalene Dalziel

Scotland could host Eurovision after Ukraine ruled out for 2023 over safety fears

The UK has been asked to host Eurovision 2023 due to the ongoing war in Ukraine - and it could be coming to Scotland.

The BBC is "in talks" about bringing the singing competition to Glasgow, according to reports.

And Nicola Sturgeon is backing the move, taking to Twitter in response to the news to say she knows "a perfect venue on banks of the River Clyde".

Kalush Orchestra was Ukraine's winning entry for this year when they took the crown in Turin, Italy but doubt was instantly cast on the country's ability to take on the mammoth singing competition after Russia's invasion.

The European Broadcasting Union, which runs the annual extravaganza, this morning issued a statement regarding next year.

EBU bosses say they've began discussions with the BBC in a bid to discuss the UK playing host in place of Ukraine after they concluded "security guarantees" can't be provided by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC.

Eurovision star Sam Ryder (PA)

They said the UK is now in the running after it finished in second place with Sam Ryder's Spaceman.

And speculation is mounting that Glasgow’s OVO Hydro arena could be the venue for the next instalment, reports iNews.

The cost of staging Eurovision is around £25m, with around £5m granted from the EBU to the host broadcaster.

BBC insiders say the broadcaster was prepared to stage Eurovision in the event that the UK won.

With 11 million viewers watching this year’s final on BBC One, Eurovision remains one of the broadcaster’s most popular events.

The EBU statement read: "Following their win at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May the EBU has been exploring options for the hosting of next year's competition with Ukraine's public broadcaster UA:PBC, who previously staged the event in 2017 and 2005.

"It has become a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year, providing certain criteria including ensuring the viability of staging the event and the safety of all stakeholders, including the public, are met.

"Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year's winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues.

"The EBU has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues to UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians.

"As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year's runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom."

It ended with: "It is our full intention that Ukraine's win will be reflected in next year's shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts."

The BBC responded to the EBU's statement on Twitter by adding: "We have seen the announcement from the EBU. Clearly these aren't a set of circumstances that anyone would want.

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"Following their decision, we will of course discuss the BBC hosting the Eurovision Song Contest."

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