BBC announces stacked Eurovision 2026 presenting lineup with new additions and returning favourites

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The BBC has announced who will be hosting Eurovision 2026, featuring both new and familiar faces. The contest will be held in Vienna later this month, and the UK is aiming for a winning performance with their entry, LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER.

Beloved Eurovision commentator Graham Norton will return for the Grand Final on Saturday, May 16th, and is sure to deliver some witty and memorable lines.

Rylan will host the semi-finals with Angela Scanlon, who is joining the show after Scott Mills left the BBC. Together, they’ll narrow down the contestants to the final 25 who will compete in the grand finale.

The semi-final shows on May 12th and 14th will feature performances from the UK, Germany, France, and Italy – countries that automatically qualify each year. Last year’s winner, Austria, also gets a guaranteed spot in the final.

For the radio broadcast, Sara Cox will host the semi-final coverage, and then team up with Rylan to host the final. Dermot O’Leary, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Richie Anderson, Ellie Taylor, and OJ Borg will also host their own shows.

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Tia Kofi, known for her appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, will be giving fans an inside look at the event as a digital reporter. She’ll be chatting with the performers and sharing what happens behind the scenes.

In 2026, Eurovision will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Graham, who will be hosting the Grand Final, shared his excitement, saying it feels particularly special to be a part of such a landmark year for the competition.

Rylan said it’s the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, calling it the largest show in the world. He added that being involved is a dream come true, something he never thought possible when he was younger.

Angela shared that she and her three sisters spent her childhood enthusiastically watching the Eurovision Song Contest, even creating detailed (and admittedly unfair!) scorecards at home. She said being a part of the contest now, especially as it celebrates its 70th anniversary, feels incredibly dreamlike.

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest has faced significant criticism and boycotts. Several countries, including Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Slovenia, have chosen not to compete because the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided to allow Israel to participate despite ongoing concerns.

I’m so excited for Eurovision 2026! The big Grand Final is happening on Saturday, May 16th, and the Semi-Finals will be on Tuesday, May 12th and Thursday, May 14th. The best part is, we’ll be able to watch it all live on BBC One and iPlayer, and listen on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds too!

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available! This 100-page, full-color magazine celebrates the incredible life and work of Sir David Attenborough. You can find it at newsstands or order it online.

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2026-05-01 12:49