Why has Liverpool been shortlisted to be potential host city for Eurovision Song Contest

• "Liverpool's the home of culture" - people on the streets of Liverpool are happy Eurovision could be held in the city next year.

The Eurovision Song Contest could be held in Liverpool next year, as the shortlist of cities is whittled down to just two potential UK locations.

Seven cities were in the running to host the much-anticipated music competition in May 2023, including Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester and Sheffield.

Architecture, history, art and musical heritage are all factors into the decision-making process.

On Tuesday, Eurovision bosses announced that the UK-wide search for a host city has now been narrowed down to Liverpool and Glasgow.

Phil Harrold, chair of the BBC’s Host City Selection Committee, said: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a very complex event and Liverpool and Glasgow have the strongest overall offer; we will continue our discussions with them to determine the eventual host city.”

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest in a symbolic show of public support, in solidarity against Russia's invasion of the country in 2022.

But due to the on-going war, the country is unable to host in 2023, so the responsibility fell to the United Kingdom, who claimed second place in the competition.

Several big names called for Eurovision to be held in the North West, which boasts an endless list of iconic singers, bands and composers who were born in the region.

Why is Liverpool a good fit for Europe's biggest music competition?

Liverpool has been dubbed 'Boss' by Eurovision officials.

It has a diverse musical heritage, with the likes of the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers and Frankie Goes to Hollywood born there.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "Our reputation as a music heavyweight is unmatched.

"Not only are we a UNESCO City of Music, but no region in the UK has had more number one hits.

"We’ve shown time and time again that nowhere can throw a party quite like us – we’re ready to roll the red carpet out for a Eurovision celebration that the world will never forget!

"We’ve shown time and time again that nowhere can throw a party quite like us – we’re ready to roll the red carpet out for a Eurovision celebration that the world will never forget!”

Has the competition ever been held in Liverpool?

The Eurovision Song Contest has never been held in the North West, despite the UK hosting the competition a record eight times.

In previous years the contest has taken place in Edinburgh, Brighton, Harrogate, Birmingham and four times in London.

The UK stepped in and hosted for the Netherlands, France, Monaco and Luxembourg in the 60s and 70s due to the winning countries' financial and capacity issues

Have any Eurovision performers been from Liverpool?

Several Scousers have graced the Eurovision stage in previous years, including the Liverpool group Jemini.

Unfortunately, the pop duo Gemma Abbey and Chris Cromby were the first act from the UK to receive "nul points".

They finished in last place with their performance of "Cry Baby" at the contest, held in Latvia, in 2003.

In 1993, Sonia, who is from  Skelmersdale, near Liverpool, represented the UK in the competition when Ireland hosted, finishing second with "Better the Devil You Know".

Prima Donna were also chosen to represent Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest, in the Netherlands in 1980, with their song "Love Enough for Two".

Two of their band members - Kate and Jane Robbins - were from the Wirral.

What would it mean for Liverpool?

The Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson has said hosting the song contest would write a brand-new chapter in the city's musical heritage.

She said the contest, which brings together most European countries, will boost the local economy and "provide a platform to sustain jobs well into the future."

Eurovision is also a global advert for the host location, which will continue to benefit the city long after the competing artists have packed up and gone home.

Which venue in Liverpool would hold Eurovision?

If Liverpool were to host Eurovision, the M&S Bank Arena, on the world-famous waterfront, is expected to be the venue it would be broadcasted live from.

Beyonce, Paul McCartney and Elton John are just some of the huge names that performed there.

It has the capacity for 11,000 people and has the latest technology that Eurovision would require.

What date is the Eurovision Song Contest?

The 67th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in May 2023. Ukraine is expected to have a big part in putting the show together.

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