Liverpool's Eurovision fate announced tonight
We'll find out this evening whether Liverpool's been selected to host the spectacle on behalf of Ukraine
Last updated 7th Oct 2022
Graham Norton will reveal the host city of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on the The One Show this evening, it has been announced.
Liverpool and Glasgow are the two UK cities which remain in the running to host the music event next year in place of Ukraine.
The final two cities battling it out were revealed last month following a seven-strong shortlist which also included Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.
Following the announcement of the final two, further discussions were due to take place with officials from both areas, with the final decision to be made by organisers.
If Liverpool are successful in winning the bid, locals and people from all around the world will see next year's Eurovision performers take the stage at the M&S Bank Arena.
Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra triumphed at the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy, but the EBU, which produces the annual event, decided the show cannot be safely held in the country following Russia's invasion.
It was later decided that the UK would host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest as Sam Ryder came second in the competition.
This will be the ninth time the UK will have hosted the competition, more than any other country.
The last time Eurovision came to home soil was in 1998. The National Indoor Arena in Birmingham hosted the event.
Dana International took home the crown that year.
In August, a list narrowed down from 20 UK cities that initially submitted an "expression of interest" was released by the BBC, with applicants across all four regions demonstrating how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities.
Of the seven cities named in August, six were in England, one in Scotland, with Belfast failing to make the cut for Northern Ireland.
Requirements included "a suitable venue and sufficient space to deliver the requirements of the Song Contest", necessary commitment to the contest including a financial contribution, and "alignment with the BBC's strategic priorities as a public service broadcaster".
Liverpool, which has been a Unesco City of Music since 2015, is obviously synonymous with The Beatles and has a rich music heritage.
Eurovision officials are also aware of this and have acknowledged Liverpool as "The City of Pop".
In June, Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said: "Culture is synonymous with Liverpool and we tick all the boxes to be next year's host - great venues, enviable experience, a world-renowned music heritage, Unesco City of Music status and of course the warm Scouse welcome that just can't be beaten."
Ukrainian priest Taras Homitch, who lives in Liverpool, told us here at Hits Radio Liverpool he hopes Liverpool will be successful in this bid.
He said: "Refugees found their second home here and they will be simply delighted if Eurovision comes to this city which is now home for them."