The spotlight’s on, the stage is set – Eurovision: You Decide is back
BBC Two and BBC Music announced Friday that Eurovision: You Decide, the national song selection show for the UK entry, will take place on Friday 27 January 2017 live from the world-famous Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
This year, for the first time, it will be broadcast live on BBC Two at 7.30pm with self-confessed Eurovision superfan, Mel Giedroyc, returning as presenter.
After a nationwide search, the 90-minute show will feature performances of six brand new songs. The performers will take to the stage with the hope of doing justice to the songs, and in a bid to impress both the viewers at home and a professional panel.
They will compete for the honour of representing the United Kingdom at the Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The winner will be revealed on the night after a live public vote.
A panel of three experts will be on hand to provide insight and their thoughts about the songs and the artists, and how they could translate to the big arena in Ukraine.
The six competing songs will be revealed on Monday 23 January on The Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2.
Presenter, Mel Giedroyc says: “I am positively giddy for Eurovision 2017 and chuffed that Eurovision: You Decide is back! I’ve been hearing great things about the standard of the songs this year and I just wish January would hurry up so that I can hear the songs and meet the performers! We’ve got an even bigger venue, exciting guest performers and a brilliant expert panel. It’s going to be great.”
Patrick Holland, Controller BBC Two said, “What a treat! We are delighted that Mel is bringing this evening of Eurovision joy to BBC Two.”
Tickets are on sale from 10am on Friday 9 December. The night will also feature performances from musical guests soon to be announced.
Also announced today, BBC Four will broadcast both semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May. The Grand Final itself will be broadcast on BBC One on Saturday 13 May 2017.