BBC One to air Eurovision concert and Weakest Link special
The Beeb will air a celebration concert this New Year’s Eve
This New Year’s Eve, the Beeb will kick off the year of Eurovision in the UK with a special celebration concert.
In the Big Eurovision Party, some of the biggest stars in recent Eurovision history will perform their most famous bangers and ballads. Eurovision legend Edsilia Rombley will oversee proceedings, while Rylan will be chatting to the performers backstage.
Acts performing include 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra, Subwoolfer, Greece’s 2021 entry Stefania and TIX.
The concert will air on New Year’s Eve immediately after Sam Ryder welcomes in 2023 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Additionally, there will be a special edition of The Weakest Link on December 30 featuring Eurovision stars and presenters. Former Eurovision performers Duncan James, Cheryl Baker, Sonia and Kate Robbins appear alongside Scott Mills, Tia Kofi, Lauren Layfield, and Sarah Cawood.
Romesh Ranganathan hosts the game show that sees players compete for a chance to win up to £50,000 for their chosen charities. Every round, one player is voted The Weakest Link and leaves with nothing. After a final head to head, one player will be crowned The Strongest Link and will take the prize.
The two programmes join the previously announced All Star New Year’s Eve, which will see 2022 Eurovision runner up Sam Ryder welcome in 2023. Sam will be joined by some of music’s biggest stars in a New Year’s Eve extravaganza.
Rylan said:
“What better way to kick off the year of Eurovision in the UK than this incredible evening of programming on the BBC. The Big Eurovision Party is the perfect pre-party to the main event in May 2023 and we can’t wait to see new and existing fans enjoy the incredible music the Contest has to offer.”
This year also marks the UK’s return to Junior Eurovision – fans can cheer on 13 year old Freya Skye as she represents the UK this weekend, Sunday 11 December from 3pm on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and CBBC.
The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place in the Liverpool Arena next to the River Mersey on Saturday 13 May with Semi-Finals on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May. The UK is hosting on behalf of Ukraine due to security concerns caused by Russia’s invasion of the country.
