Eurovision is the most fun week of my year…
I just love being immersed in all things Eurovision. Every year when I get to the host city everyone there is happy, smiley and in a total Eurovision bubble. I usually find the night goes by really quickly! I never get bored of it, even though often I will have seen the show three times before it is live with all the rehearsals that take place.
…even the mornings are entertaining
Often I’ll be staying in the same hotel as some of the acts. Last year performers from Finland, Israel and Poland were all in my hotel. It was odd seeing them all glammed up on stage and then just having breakfast the next morning.
This year's UK entry: Electro Velvet with Still In Love With You
It’s kind of a big deal
I don’t think everyone necessarily ‘gets’ Eurovision. Certainly a lot of people in the UK think of Eurovision and think ‘dodgy songs’. That couldn’t be further from the truth though, Eurovision is a huge production and the host city spends millions on it.
My tip if you’re watching at home…
Watch the red button! It’s brilliant, they put the words up so that you can sing along with each act. It’s great because if you were just listening without the words you’d miss some of the amazing lyrics - last year I’m pretty sure there was a song about a moustache…
Twitter has made a massive difference while commentating as people really do tweet along as they watch, it’s almost as important as actually watching the show. For me it’s like having another few thousand eyes on each performance and the public are so observant and funny!
Regarding toilet breaks
Don’t take them! Or if you have to, go during the interval. Honestly, I am the biggest Eurovision fan so I don’t like to miss anything.
The votes take a while…
The counting can take ages. I’ve read the UK results four times and have always been given an 11am call time, even though the results aren’t until around 11pm. You can’t leave, even to nip to the shop, it’s some kind of Eurovision law! It’s pretty daunting reading the results knowing there are 195 million people watching you worldwide. It’s almost as scary as doing Strictly Come Dancing!
Conchita Wurst, who won Eurovision 2014, with Scott
My top reasons to love Eurovision
#1 A lot of the songs are written by top songwriters responsible for loads of current hits.
#2 The atmosphere is amazing because the fans are so excited to be there, which I totally understand as you have to be very lucky to get a ticket. Last year I knew of someone who headed out to Copenhagen and was over the moon to have tickets for the afternoon rehearsal of the semi-final!
#3 Before I was involved in Eurovision I actually got tickets to some of the host countries as a fan, and it was so much fun. Often the contest is held in lesser-known places in terms of travel destinations and they are wonderful places to visit – I thought Belgrade was amazing. It was my first-ever Eurovision experience. I was there for the weekend, the weather was really hot, there were Eurovision parties, and I thought - I would love to work on this!
#4 Aside from sports broadcasts, it is one of the most watched TV events in the world.
Scott Mills co-hosts the Eurovision Semi-Finals 2015 with Mel Giedroyc on Tuesday 19 and Thursday 21 May at 8pm on BBC Three. The final is on Saturday, 23 May from 9pm on BBC One.
Tweet @bbceurovision or comment on facebook.com/bbceurovision during the semi-final for the chance to have your message read out by Scott and Mel. If you're having a Eurovision party, you can also download scorecards, sweepstake trackers and posters.
Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.
