Rylan Clark-Neal joins the BBC’s Eurovision 2018 hosting team

The BBC have this evening publically announced their presenting line up for this year’s shows.   While the hosting duties of the grand final remain unchanged, the UK broadcaster have made a few changes in its presenting team for the semi finals.

Rylan Clark-Neal to debut as Eurovision commentator

The BBC have confirmed that presenter and Eurovision superfan Rylan Clark-Neal will take to the commentary booth, alongside Scott Mills for the broadcaster’s coverage of the two semi finals on Tuesday 8th & Thursday 10th May. Rylan had appeared as a guest judge at this year’s national selection ‘Eurovision: You Decide’ and won over many with his extensive knowledge and passion for the contest.
Rylan participated on the UK version of The X Factor back in 2010 and has since established himself as a much loved UK television presenter, with hosting roles including Celebrity Big Brother, Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, This Morning and his own chat show Up Late With Rylan.

“Eurovision is always the highlight of my year and I am truly excited that I’ll be presenting with fellow Eurovision fan, Rylan. Eurovision is the most wonderful spectacle and I’m looking forward to all the weird and wonderful performances that the contest always brings. Rylan and I will be live from Lisbon revealing who the finalists will be as well as cheering on the UK entry SuRie.”

Mel Giedroyc is the UK spokesperson for 2018

Previous semi final commentator and You Decide host, Mel Giedroyc, has shifted roles and is now this year’s official UK spokesperson. She will hold the responsibility of reading the UK jury votes at the grand final on Saturday 12th May. Speaking of the role change, Mel told the BBC:

“I am over the moon to be the UK spokesperson for this year’s Eurovision Grand Final on BBC One! I’m gutted to be missing the semi-finals this year but I’m super excited to be announcing the UK’s televote result live from London on the big night!”

Graham Norton to celebrate his tenth time in the commentary box

Since the late Sir Terry Wogan stepped down as Eurovision commentator back in 2008, the BBC required a big personality to fill his shoes. After Norton’s stint at hosting the now defunct Eurovision Dance Contest, it was a no brainer that he be offered the job. This year marks Graham’s tenth time in the commentary booth, providing the UK audience with his warm personality and unique brand of humour.
“Eurovision is without doubt one of my favourite nights of the year – hugely entertaining, wildly unpredictable and often very funny. The UK have a belter this year with SuRie and Storm. It’s an anthemic floor filler that deserves to do really well, but that’s the beauty of Eurovision – anything can happen!”
Ken Bruce also returns for the grand final, deciphering events on stage for the listeners of BBC Radio 2. It will be the 34th time in the commentary box for Ken, who prior to his radio work, hosted the Eurovision preview shows for the BBC between 1989 & 1991. He currently hosts his own weekday breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 between 9:30am – 12:00 pm, which reaches an audience of 8.77 million per week.