Eurovision 2020 – when, where and who is hosting the song contest?
EUROVISION – Europe’s annual song competition is almost upon us.
As the UK gears up to find out who will be flying the flag for the 2020 Eurovision song contest – here is everything you need to know.
When is Eurovision 2020?
Eurovision 2020 will begin on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 and conclude four days later on Saturday, May 16 when it will be televised live.
Each year, the BBC broadcasts the competition.
The BBC has said the UK’s 2020 song and artist will be revealed on Thursday, February 27 on Radio 1’s breakfast show with Greg James.
Last year, Michael Rice represented the UK, placing last in the 26th position.
Therefore, the BBC have opted to pick an artist and a song, choosing not to put it to the public vote.
Where is it being held?
This year’s event will be held at Rotterdam in The Netherlands.
Per Eurovision rules, the winning country becomes the organisers of the next competition.
Last year’s winner was The Netherland’s Duncan Laurence.
Who is hosting?
The 2020 competition will be hosted by Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit.
Chantal Janzen, 41, is a Dutch singer, television presenter and actress.
She presented the Dutch version of Pop Idol and has had roles in films such as Shrek the Third and Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang.
Chantal married Marco Geeratz in London in 2014.
The couple have two children together.
Edsilla Rombley, 42, is a Dutch singer and television presenter.
She began her career as a member of girl group, Dignity.
She represented The Netherlands in the 1998 Eurovision song contest, placing fourth.
Edsilia is married with two children.
Jan Smit, 34, is a Dutch singer and television presenter.
In 2017, he joined Dutch supergroup, The Toppers, who represented their country in the 2009 Eurovision song contest, reaching the semi-final.
A multiple award winner, he starred in his own reality show in The Netherlands.
He is married with two children and joined FC Volendam in 2013 as the director of the club’s general affairs.
The semi finals will have commentary by Scott Mills and Rylan Clarke-Neal on BBC Four while Graham Norton will provide commentary for the final on BBC One.
More on TV
Who is taking part?
There are 41 countries taking part in Eurovision 2020.
The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, North Marcedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine will all partake in a live competition on Saturday, May 16.