The Eurovision Song Contest will be held in the UK in 2023, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the BBC has officially confirmed.
The announcement that the UK will be the host country comes following the decision that next year’s event cannot be held in Ukraine for safety and security reasons, despite the EBU having already explored a number of options with the winning broadcaster.
As a result of discussions, the BBC, as runner up in the 2022 Contest, was invited by the EBU to act as Host Broadcaster for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.
The 2023 contest will be hosted in the UK on behalf of this year’s winning broadcaster, Ukraine’s UA:PBC.
"We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023," said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor.
"The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions, and continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event."
The BBC has staged the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other broadcaster - hosting in London in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977, Edinburgh in 1972, Brighton in 1974, Harrogate in 1982, and Birmingham in 1998.
It's been confirmed that representatives from UA: PBC will work with the BBC to "develop and implement" the Ukrainian elements of next year’s show.
"It's a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest," added Tim Davie - Director-General of the BBC.
"Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege.
"The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity, and the BBC will now begin the process to find a Host City to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023."
The EBU has confirmed that next year’s host city will be chosen in the coming months following a bidding process, which is being launched this week.
Leeds has been named as one of the front-running cities to host the contest.
The dates for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be announced in due course.
Featured Image - Eurovision TV
News
Leeds rallies around independent wine bar after thieves smash windows to steal… an empty bottle
An independent wine bar in Leeds city centre was broken into over the weekend.
And do you know what the sneaky thief stole? An empty bottle.
Latitude Wine Bar on The Calls issued a statement about the break in over the weekend, they said: "Some unscrupulous ______________ (insert expletives in the comments) decided to smash our window last night to grab a magnum of chartreuse out of our window.
"Obviously it was a dummy bottle, so more fool them, but it also makes this criminal damage more pointless. DON'T THEY KNOW HOW MUCH GLASS COSTS!?
"Well, this puts a real dampener on the month so if any one feels like popping in to buy a bottle in the shop or a glass in the bar or heading online to place an order this weekend it would really help to support an independent wine merchant and bar.
Images: Latitude Wine Bar
"Thank you to one of our customers who found the abandoned dummy bottle and returned it to us today. Legend! Santé and happy Friyay!"
So not only did the thief smash the window to steal an empty bottle, but they didn't even take it home with them.
In classic Leeds fashion, fellow indies flocked to the comments to support Latitude with many promising to pop in over the weekend for a glass or two.
One comment read: "Do you need a sign in your window saying “this is a dummy bottle you dummy”" whilst another said "Damned spit buckets! I’m sure we’ll be in soon, keep your chins up fam."
So if you've been meaning to pop in for a glass of the good stuff, there's no better time than the present.
The UK’s oldest nightclub is in Halifax – and now they’re campaigning for a blue plaque
Thomas Melia
An all-new fundraiser has been set up which aims to crown the UK's oldest nightclub with its very own blue plaque.
Situated in Halifax, Acapulco Club, has been providing clubbers and night out lovers with live music and entertainment for 65 years.
Alongside offering 75p drinks to any guests before 11pm and a whole host of DJs playing out beats and bangers on their mezzanine-floor decks, Acapulco has created lots of happy memories too.
This West Yorkshire cultural hub attracted lots of media attention back in 2022 when the club auctioned off pieces of its spiral carpet for just £20.
Now, this Halifax nightlife institution is giving itself a massive pat on the back by setting up a fundraiser for its very own blue plaque.
Working alongside Halifax BID and Halifax Civic Trust, this living piece of Halifax history is recognising its contributions to this West Yorkshire town and clubbing culture.
Commonly referred to as "Acca", the club prides itself on "Welcoming dancers before man landed on the Moon, before the M62 motorway transformed our region, and before colour television arrived in British homes."
The cost of a blue plaque is £650 and any excess funds that are raised will be donated to Halifax Street Angels - a local charity which works alongside the night-time economy to keep partygoers safe.
Acapulco is encouraging anyone who has visited the nightclub over its 65 year period to donate and also provide any memories or photos they have shared within this venue.
Some of the famous faces that have graced this legendary clubbing hotspot include Katie Price and her son Harvey, Joey Essex, as well as an array of Love Island and Big Brother stars.
The Acapulco Club has even welcomed 80's pop royalty courtesy of a visit from George Michael... the tribute act of course.
Anyone wanting to find out more information or make a donation to the recent fundraiser set up to honour the UK's oldest nightclub Acapulco with a blue plaque can do so HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
25th July 2022 
