Eurovision 2023: Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Julia Sanina's responsibility to Ukraine

Eurovision co-host Alesha Dixon says May's contention is "so overmuch much than a competition", arsenic Liverpool prepares to signifier the lawsuit connected Ukraine's behalf.

"It's precise important. We consciousness that consciousness of responsibility, to bash it with joy, love," she said.

The Britain's Got Talent justice volition contiguous alongside Ted Lasso prima Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian instrumentalist Julia Sanina for the semi-finals.

Graham Norton volition implicit the line-up for adjacent month's last successful Liverpool.

Sanina, who is the beforehand pistillate of Ukrainian stone set The Hardkiss which volition unfastened the archetypal semi-final, says this year's contention is simply a "big deal" for her country.

"Even past year, erstwhile radical were watching Eurovision from weaponry shelters, tons of them were inactive voting and wanted to win," she added.

"We person to ever equilibrium the joyousness and the emotion with what Julia conscionable said," Waddingham said. "People voting from the weaponry shelters hits maine much than thing and there's the crushed I wanted to get involved."

The presenters volition beforehand the opus contention astatine 3 unrecorded shows - 2 semi-finals connected Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May.

The BBC's Eurovision commentator Graham Norton volition past articulation the trio for the last connected Saturday 13 May, splitting his clip betwixt the signifier and his commentary booth he's sharing this twelvemonth with Mel Giedroyc.

Rehearsals for the hosts, arsenic good arsenic for the 37 acts competing, volition statesman astatine the opening of May and Waddingham tells BBC News she's looking guardant to the results the most.

"It's the age-old Terry Wogan and Katie Boyle saying 'Good evening Portugal' - that virtually gives maine shivers of excitement," she said.

"My 12-year-old aforesaid couldn't content I'd ever beryllium saying that. Honestly it makes maine rather emotional".

As this year's big broadcaster, the BBC has announced extended plans for its Eurovision coverage implicit the adjacent 3 weeks including an quality from Cheryl Baker successful EastEnders, and peculiar shows dedicated to the contention from Bargain Hunt to Pointless.

All the build-up, insights and investigation is explored each week connected a BBC podcast called Eurovisioncast.