"under. A total of 700 songs were received by the BBC for the selection, 150 more than the year before. Between 27 January 2003 and 30 January 2003 the eight songs in the semi final were played on BBC Radio 2 on a show hosted by Ken Bruce and Terry Wogan, both the radio and television commentators for the Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom, and were also available to listen to online. Over 30,000 votes were cast during the show to find the four finalists for A Song For Europe. A number of changes were made to the"
"semi-finals has allowed for the broadcaster to incorporate additional segments, interviews and live viewer interaction, during the programmes live airing. In 2011, O'Connell was replaced by Scott Mills who provided the commentary from London, while Sara Cox provided interaction from the venue. Cox and Mills both provided commentary again in 2012 from the venue. In 2013, Cox was replaced by Ana Matronic and Matronic was replaced in 2014 by Laura Whitmore. Mel Giedroyc replaced Whitmore as co-commentator in 2015. In 2014, Matronic provided commentary for the second semi-final of the 2014 Contest on BBC Radio 2 Eurovision, a temporary station"
"ESCToday.com and Oikotimes.com about the Eurovision Song Contest. John Kennedy O'Connor John Kennedy O'Connor (born 1964) is a television and radio broadcaster, author and entertainment commentator, who was born in North London, but is a naturalized citizen of the United States, where he is based. He has written, reported and broadcast for numerous media organisations, as well as writing, creating and producing media events for a number of international corporations all over the world. He is probably best known for his work within the Eurovision Song Contest as a TV commentator and host. In 2005, Carlton Books published his book"
"which was broadcast on DAB radio over four days, as well as the BBC Radio 2 website. She continued this role in 2015. In 2018, Rylan Clark-Neal will take over Giedroyc's role as co-commentator alongside Mills. All conductors are listed by their birthplace flags but are all British. UK flag included if unknown. Prior to 1999, the UK entry was performed without orchestral accompaniment in 1986. For several years the Scottish National Party (SNP) has campaigned for a place in Eurovision for Scotland but had been rejected numerous times because Scotland is represented as a part of the British entry"
"with a new seven note melody composed by British composer and producer Jem Godfrey. This coincided with the launch of a new jingle package produced by Godfrey in association with Wise Buddah Productions, marking Radio 2's second new package in as many years. Radio 2 has recently been running several ""pop-up"" DAB services to cover special events, the first being BBC Radio 2 Eurovision, providing coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. The station returned in 2015 for coverage of that year's contest. Others include BBC Radio 2 Country covering the festival and BBC Radio 2 50s, a service dedicated"
"United Kingdom, the semi-finals were broadcast on BBC Three with commentary by Scott Mills and Laura Whitmore. The second semi-final was simulcast on BBC Radio 2 Eurovision, a pop-up DAB station, with commentary from Ana Matronic. The final was broadcast on BBC One with commentary by Graham Norton. The final was broadcast via radio on BBC Radio 2 and on Radio 2 Eurovision with commentary by Ken Bruce. Highlights of the final were broadcast on Radio 2 Eurovision the following day. The British spokesperson revealing the result of the British vote in the final was Scott Mills. Points awarded in"
"previously been negotiating with commercial broadcasters to replace the Nordic broadcasters at Junior Eurovision. TV 2 has said however that they had no plans to return Denmark to Junior Eurovision. On 17 February 2018, it was reported that the EBU is calling on Danish broadcaster Denmarks Radio (DR) to return to Junior Eurovision after a 13-year break. The contests are broadcast online worldwide through the official Junior Eurovision Song Contest website junioreurovision.tv and YouTube. In 2015, the online broadcasts featured commentary in English by junioreurovision.tv editor Luke Fisher and 2011 Bulgarian Junior Eurovision Song Contest entrant Ivan Ivanov. The Danish"
"However Terry Wogan provided BBC TV commentary every year from 1980 to 2008. It was confirmed on 12 August 2008 that Terry Wogan would no longer present the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK. The BBC Radio 2 DJ, who had fronted the BBC's coverage for 37 years, said it was ""time for someone else to take over"". He was replaced in 2009 by Graham Norton for the final. Norton has continued in the role ever since. The final of the contest has been broadcast by BBC One (previously BBC Television Service and BBC TV) since the first contest in"
"schedule by the respective broadcasters. The event was hosted by the British commentator for Eurovision, Graham Norton, and the host of the 2013 and 2016 Contest, Petra Mede. The contest has been the subject of criticism regarding both its musical and political content. For example, on rare occasions, certain countries have been booed when performing or receiving points, especially when being given by a neighbour country. Most recently in 2014 and 2015, Russia was heavily booed when it qualified for the final and received high points. The reason for the booing is considered to be due to the Russian military"
"John Kennedy O'Connor John Kennedy O'Connor (born 1964) is a television and radio broadcaster, author and entertainment commentator, who was born in North London, but is a naturalized citizen of the United States, where he is based. He has written, reported and broadcast for numerous media organisations, as well as writing, creating and producing media events for a number of international corporations all over the world. He is probably best known for his work within the Eurovision Song Contest as a TV commentator and host. In 2005, Carlton Books published his book ""The Eurovision Song Contest – The Official History"","
"for the charity BBC Children in Need. This was released as a download. In December 2008, Bruce was officially inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame. On April Fools' Day 2011, Bruce's radio show was presented by comedian Rob Brydon impersonating Bruce throughout. Brydon interviewed ""Sir Terry Wogan"" (impersonated by Peter Serafinowicz), and Bruce himself appeared at the end of the show as his ""brother Kenn with two Ns"". Bruce has presented BBC Proms in the Park for numerous years. He is Radio 2's regular commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest, and presented the Eurovision Song Contest Previews from"
"Radio 2. The highest charting UK Eurovision song since 2011's ""I Can"" by Blue. Smitten-Downes was discovered for her work on BBC Introducing and was invited to compose a song especially for the 59th Eurovision Song Contest. The song has been described as a powerful, contemporary, anthemic and uplifting track specifically written with live performance in mind. Talking to the BBC she said, ""I'm so excited for everyone to hear 'Children of The Universe'. I'm so happy with it. To represent the United Kingdom in such a huge competition, not only as a singer and performer but as a songwriter"
"Nathan Morley Nathan Morley (born 14 January 1974) is an investigative journalist, television news anchor, and newspaper columnist based in Finland and Cyprus. He is best known to international audiences for his live radio broadcasts on Talksport, LBC and the BBC to the United Kingdom. He is also a familiar voice to worldwide listeners for his CBS and Voice of America reports. A high-profile TV and media campaign announced he had been appointed the English language Eurovision Song Contest 2009 radio commentator for the Cypriot state broadcaster, CyBC. The commentary in English marked a first for a non-English language EBU"
"Graham Norton Graham William Walker (born 4 April 1963), known professionally as Graham Norton, is an Irish television and radio presenter, comedian, actor, and author based in the United Kingdom. He is a five-time BAFTA TV Award winner for his comedy chat show ""The Graham Norton Show"" and an eight-time award winner, overall. Originally shown on BBC Two before moving to other slots on BBC One, it succeeded ""Friday Night with Jonathan Ross"" in BBC One's prestigious late-Friday-evening slot in 2010. He also presents on BBC Radio 2 and is the BBC television commentator of the Eurovision Song Contest, which"
"side him. Lisa-Jayne Lewis Lisa-Jayne Lewis is a broadcaster and commentator at the Eurovision Song Contest and Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Lisa-Jayne Lewis was born in Aldershot, Hampshire. She moved as a child to Guildford, Surrey and was educated at Bishop Reindorp School. Along with Ewan Spence and Ana Filipa Rosa, Lewis was a commentator for the first USA Radio broadcast of 2018 Eurovision Song Contest from Lisbon, Portugal. Lewis provided English language international commentary at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 from Valetta, Malta and the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2017 from Tbilisi, Georgia. Since 2016, and following the"
"for the radio stations Radio Six International, Fun Kids and 103 The Eye. The contests are broadcast online worldwide through the official Junior Eurovision Song Contest website junioreurovision.tv and YouTube. In 2015, the online broadcasts featured commentary in English by junioreurovision.tv editor Luke Fisher and 2011 Bulgarian Junior Eurovision Song Contest entrant Ivan Ivanov. The British broadcaster, ITV, sent their own commentator to each contest in order to provide commentary in the English language. Spokespersons were also chosen by the national broadcaster in order to announce the awarding points from United Kingdom. The table below list the details of each"
"to Wogan's disappointment. Wogan argued that Abraham gave a better performance than the entries from Spain and Bosnia-Herzegovina. At the 2008 contest he was acknowledged by both hosts, along with France's Jean Paul Gaultier and Finland's 2007 Contest host Jaana Pelkonen. On 11 August 2008, Wogan said in an interview with the ""Radio Times"" magazine that he was doubtful about presenting the Eurovision Song Contest for the United Kingdom again. On 5 December 2008, Wogan stepped down from the role after 35 years. Graham Norton succeeded Wogan as BBC commentator for the 2009 contest. In November 2014, Wogan reviewed Norton's"
"BBC in Manchester and London. At the BBC he worked as an announcer on radio and television, providing voice-overs for a number of popular shows such as ""Come Dancing"", ""Miss World"" and the radio commentary for the Eurovision Song Contest, also presenting the Eurovision Song Contest Previews in 1987. From 1980 to 1988 he hosted the early morning show on BBC Radio 2, developing an idiosyncratic broadcasting style which relied on a highly individual, gentle and sophisticated wit and repartee. As he explained in his autobiography: My theory, if I ever had one, was that this show, broadcast at such"
"the station"""". Peter Urban (presenter) Peter Urban (born 14 April 1948 in Bramsche, Lower Saxony) is a German musician and radio host. Urban has been the German commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest since 1997, following Jan Hofer. Due to illness in 2009, he was unable to commentate on the 2009 Contest, with Tim Frühling filling in, but he returned to commentate in 2010. Urban has also commentated on the Eurovision Dance Contest since 2007. Currently he hosts the radio programmes ""NDR-Info-Nachtclub"" and ""NDR-2-Soundcheck Neue Musik"" for the German regional broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), and has been described as the"
"to place 7th at the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest in Jerusalem, Israel. This was also the only Eurovision between 1972 and 2008 in which Terry Wogan did not provide either the television or radio commentary. Wogan had originally been scheduled to provide the television commentary but opted out of going to Israel following comments he made of the 1978 winner """"A-Ba-Ni-Bi"""" sounding like """"I Wanna Be a Polar Bear"""". Instead his Radio 2 colleague John Dunn provided the television commentary. Ray Moore provided the radio commentary on both BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2. United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song"
"the contest on 19 occasions between the 1969 and 2010 Contest and was regarded as ""the voice of Eurovision"". It was confirmed on 8 February 2011 that Uribarri would not return to commentate on the 2011 Contest and on 2 March 2011 it was announced that television and radio presenter José María Íñigo would fulfill the role as Spanish commentator. Between 2015 and 2017, Íñigo was joined by Julia Varela. In 2018, Tony Aguilar replaced Íñigo alongside Varela. All conductors are Spanish except those marked with a flag. Spain was represented in the 50th aniversay of Eurovision, Congratulations, by their"
"change in the contest rules to allow more than 18 countries to participate. The country was given special dispensation by the host broadcaster BTRC and the EBU as they had won the adult contest earlier that year. The contests are broadcast online worldwide through the official Junior Eurovision Song Contest website junioreurovision.tv and YouTube. In 2015, the online broadcasts featured commentary in English by junioreurovision.tv editor Luke Fisher and 2011 Bulgarian Junior Eurovision Song Contest entrant Ivan Ivanov. The Israeli broadcaster, IBA, never sent their own commentator to the 2012 contest. However, a spokesperson was chosen in order to announce"
"Tom Fletcher, Rylan was a panellist on """" which aired on BBC Two. Rylan will take over Mel Giedroyc's role as co-commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 semi finals. In 2018 he presented on BBC Radio 2, covering for Zoë Ball, and from 2019 he will present a new programme on Saturday afternoons for Radio 2, in Zoë Ball's current slot. In 2015, Clark-Neal won The ""Telegraph""'s 'LGBT Celebrity of the Year' award. In 2016 and 2017, he was nominated for a National Television Award in the Best Presenter category, but lost out to Ant & Dec on both"
"Jostein Pedersen Jostein Pedersen (born 11 August 1959 in Dønna) is a Norwegian musical journalist and reporter, television commentator and ""music intelligencia"". He was the Norwegian commentator to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, and from 1996 to 2005. Since then he has covered the Song Contest on ""VG""s web TV channel. He currently lives in London, England. Pedersen began his career in the music industry already in his late teens. He initially worked as a regular vendor at the local record shop, but slowly moved up in the system, eventually becoming a successful music journalist. From journalism, he advanced"
"winning ESC entry two years in a row. David Gell provided the television commentary for BBC 1 at the Eurovision final on 29 March, Michael Aspel was acting as the standby commentator. Pete Murray provided the commentary for BBC Radio 1 listeners and John Russell provided the commentary for British Forces Radio. The results were announced on Saturday 1 March. Song No. 5, ""Boom Bang-a-Bang"", won the public postcard vote, and went on to finish in a four-way win in Madrid with the songs from host country Spain, plus the Netherlands and France. Every country had a jury of ten"
"most popular radio breakfast show Nitimen between 1997 and 2007. In the summers of 2007 and 2008 he was a runaway hit as the breakfast host in the NRK’s regional programs in the county of Nordland where he was born. Jostein Pedersen Jostein Pedersen (born 11 August 1959 in Dønna) is a Norwegian musical journalist and reporter, television commentator and ""music intelligencia"". He was the Norwegian commentator to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, and from 1996 to 2005. Since then he has covered the Song Contest on ""VG""s web TV channel. He currently lives in London, England. Pedersen began"
"Jeremy Vine Jeremy Guy Vine (born 17 May 1965) is a British presenter, broadcaster and journalist. He is best known as the host of his own BBC Radio 2 programme which presents news, views, interviews with live guests and popular music. He is known for his direct interview style, and exclusive reporting from war-torn areas throughout Africa. Vine is also the host of the BBC long-running quiz show ""Eggheads"", taking over from former host Dermot Murnaghan full-time in 2014. Since September 2018 he has presented his own Channel 5 daily current affairs show called ""Jeremy Vine"". In 2015 he was"
"was chosen by ten international jury groups and public televoting. During each of the three shows, two experts provided commentary and feedback to the artists. These experts were: The first show, held on 3 January 2016, introduced the competing artists. Each artist performed a cover version of a past Eurovision Song Contest song. The two experts that provided feedback to the artists during this show were Stijn Kolacny and Alexander Rybak. A televote held during the show to poll the audience's opinion on the artists following their performances was won by Amaryllis Uitterlinden. The second show, held on 10 January"
"presented by Nove on their Relaxation Channel. Nove has covered for regular National Lottery announcer Alan Dedicoat. In recent years he has provided holiday relief for Radio 2 and what used to be Saga Radio in Scotland, and following John Marsh's retirement in February 2007 he became one of the regular newsreaders on the flagship breakfast show ""Wake Up to Wogan"" until its end in 2009. He was also the London studio technical operator when Terry Wogan presented his Radio 2 show from various locations around Europe during coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest and other outside broadcasts in the"
"on Raadio 2 with commentary by Mart Juur and Andrus Kivirähk. The Estonian spokesperson, who announced the Estonian votes during the final, was 2014 Eurovision entrant Tanja. Elina Born and Stig Rästa took part in technical rehearsals on 11 and 15 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 18 and 19 May. This included the jury final where professional juries of each country, responsible for 50 percent of each country's vote, watched and voted on the competing entries. The stage show featured Elina Born dressed in a dark jumpsuit with a silver belt and Stig Rästa dressed in a dark suit"
"Andi Knoll Andreas ""Andi"" Knoll (born 11 June 1972 in Innsbruck) is an Austrian radio and television presenter. Knoll is Austria's commentator at the Eurovision Song Contest each year. Since the 1999 contest (with the exception of 2009) Knoll, following on from radio journalist and actor Ernst Grissemann, has been the Austrian commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest and, since 2002, he has hosted the Austrian national finals for Eurovision. Knoll had also commentated for Austria at the Eurovision Dance Contest. Following the Austrian victory at the 2014 contest, Knoll was one of the front runners to host the 2015"
"of the event chose runner-up Francesca Michielin as the Eurovision entrant via their own criteria. Rai 1 and Rai Radio 2 carried the official broadcasts of the festival in Italy. Commentators for the Rai Radio 2 broadcast were Pif, Andrea Delogu and Michele Astori. The five evenings were also streamed online via the broadcaster's official website ""rai.it"". In addition, the radio stations Radio Italia and RTL 102.5 also broadcast the event. The international television service Rai Italia broadcast the competition in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. In addition, the fifth evening was broadcast online via the official Eurovision Song"
"by Graham Norton and broadcast via radio on BBC Radio 2 and Radio 2 Eurovision with commentary by Ken Bruce. The British spokesperson, who announced the British votes during the final, was Nigella Lawson. Electro Velvet took part in technical rehearsals on 17 and 20 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 22 and 23 May. This included the jury final where professional juries of each country, responsible for 50 percent of each country's vote, watched and voted on the competing entries. After technical rehearsals were held on 20 May, the ""Big 5"" countries, host nation Austria and special guest Australia"