BBC reveals the presenter line-up for Eurovision 2018
The BBC has revealed the full presenter line-up for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with Rylan Clark-Neal joining Scott Mills for the semi-finals broadcast on BBC Four as 37 countries compete for their place in the grand-final.
Published: 30 March 2018
The UK have a belter this year with SuRie and Storm. It’s an anthemic floor filler that deserves to do really well, but that’s the beauty of Eurovision - anything can happen!
Graham Norton will return for the Grand Final on BBC One joined by Mel Giedroyc who continues to be a part of the Eurovision family taking the reins as BBC Eurovision Spokesperson delivering the result of the UK vote live from London; while Ken Bruce will continue his long-running coverage over on BBC Radio 2.
The biggest music extravaganza on the planet returns this May as the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the longest-running and most-watched non-sporting events in the world, is broadcast live from Lisbon on the BBC.
SuRie was chosen to represent the UK after winning Eurovision: You Decide 2018 by a combination of viewer and expert jury votes, and will head to Lisbon to perform Storm, a contemporary pop song on behalf of the United Kingdom on May 12.
Graham Norton, Grand-Final Commentator, says: “Eurovision is without doubt one of my favourite nights of the year - hugely entertaining, wildly unpredictable and often very funny. The UK have a belter this year with SuRie and Storm. It’s an anthemic floor filler that deserves to do really well, but that’s the beauty of Eurovision - anything can happen!”
Rylan Clark-Neal, Semi-Final Co-Commentator, says: “After an amazing evening at Eurovision: You decide I’m absolutely thrilled to be saying I can’t wait to join the Eurovision family and host the semi-finals alongside Scott for the UK this year. As a massive fan of Eurovision I’ve already cracked out my Union Jack Spice Girl jacket and am packed and primed and ready to take on Lisbon. SuRie was great this year and I can’t wait to watch her represent us.”
Scott Mills, Semi-Final Co-Commentator, says: “Eurovision is always the highlight of my year and I am truly excited that I’ll be presenting with fellow Eurovision fan, Rylan. Eurovision is the most wonderful spectacle and I’m looking forward to all the weird and wonderful performances that the contest always brings. Rylan and I will be live from Lisbon revealing who the finalists will be as well as cheering on the UK entry SuRie.”
Mel Giedroyc, UK Spokesperson, says: “I am over the moon to be the UK spokesperson for this year’s Eurovision Grand Final on BBC One! I’m gutted to be missing the semi-finals this year but I’m super excited to be announcing the UK’s televote result live from London on the big night!”
Ken Bruce, Radio 2 Commentator, says: “I'm delighted to be fronting my 31st Eurovision for BBC Radio 2, and look forward to presenting my radio coverage from a sun-drenched Portuguese cabana, but more likely two square feet of airless garden shed. That’s showbiz though!”
BBC Eurovision is commissioned by Kate Phillips, Controller of Entertainment and Kalpna Patel-Knight, commissioning editor for the BBC, and produced by Helen Riddell. It is a BBC Studios production.
The 63rd Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Lisbon, Portugal. The Semi Finals will be broadcast on 8 and 10 May on BBC Four and the Grand Final will be broadcast on 12 May on BBC One.
Storm was written by Nicole Blair, Gil Lewis and Sean Hargreaves. The music video was premiered on BBC iPlayer on 7 March.
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SuRie biography
Talented singer-songwriter SuRie will represent the UK with her emotive and uplifting track Storm at the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest. Combining forenames Susanna Marie, SuRie is a classically trained musician and graduate from the Royal Academy of Music in London. SuRie was recently elected an Associate of The Royal Academy of Music, an honour awarded to former students for their significant contribution to the music profession.
SuRie's performance career began at a young age, as soloist to HRH Princes Charles at The Royal Albert Hall. With her head buried in books as a child, a creative young SuRie was often found writing short stories, poetry and lyrics which swiftly turned into song writing. Her musical style of piano lead storytelling pop is influenced by piano singer-songwriters such as Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, Billy Joel and Alicia Keys. More recently she’s also inspired heavily by the poetic, cinematic story telling work of Emiliana Torrini, Ry X, Agnes Obel and Imogen Heap.
Her debut LP Something Beginning With... was the culmination of a writing and recording process that took SuRie from London to Greece, via Australia, New York, Sweden, LA and Borneo; from her home recording studio in the UK to the state of the art Malmö Live in Sweden.
No stranger to Eurovision, SuRie’s journey started in 2015 where she was a backing dancer and vocalist for Loic Nottet who was representing Belgium coming fourth with Rhythm Inside and she returned again with the Belgians in 2017, supporting Blanche and City Lights as Musical Director placing fourth. Her Eurovision path continued with invitations to song-writing camps throughout Europe, ultimately being approached to participate in BBC Eurovision: You Decide, with the inspirational pop anthem Storm, winning the public and jury vote to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018.
