This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj428knppygo
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ncuti Gatwa withdraws as Eurovision 2025 spokesperson for final | Ncuti Gatwa withdraws as Eurovision 2025 spokesperson for final |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Doctor Who star was due to read out the UK jury votes at Saturday's grand final | The Doctor Who star was due to read out the UK jury votes at Saturday's grand final |
| Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has been replaced as the Eurovision 2025 spokesperson due to "unforeseen circumstances". | Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has been replaced as the Eurovision 2025 spokesperson due to "unforeseen circumstances". |
| The 32-year-old actor was due to read out the UK jury votes at the grand final on Saturday but has now been replaced by singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. | The 32-year-old actor was due to read out the UK jury votes at the grand final on Saturday but has now been replaced by singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. |
| A BBC statement from Thursday evening said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend." | A BBC statement from Thursday evening said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend." |
| It continued: "However, we are delighted to confirm that BBC Radio 2's very own Friday night Kitchen Disco Diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be presenting the jury result live from the UK." | It continued: "However, we are delighted to confirm that BBC Radio 2's very own Friday night Kitchen Disco Diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be presenting the jury result live from the UK." |
| Singer and Radio 2 presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor says it is "a privilege" to be part of the Eurovision grand final | Singer and Radio 2 presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor says it is "a privilege" to be part of the Eurovision grand final |
| The BBC has not given any more information on the reason for Gatwa's withdrawal. | The BBC has not given any more information on the reason for Gatwa's withdrawal. |
| In previous years the UK spokesperson role has been taken on by Catherine Tate, Amanda Holden and AJ Odudu. | In previous years the UK spokesperson role has been taken on by Catherine Tate, Amanda Holden and AJ Odudu. |
| Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: "I love Eurovision and it's a privilege to be part of 2025's grand final. | |
| "What an honour it is to announce the UK's jury score on such a special show which always puts music front and centre. I am very much looking forward to delivering the iconic douze points from the United Kingdom!" | |
| The announcement from the BBC about Gatwa came during the second Eurovision semi-final, in which UK entry Remember Monday performed. | The announcement from the BBC about Gatwa came during the second Eurovision semi-final, in which UK entry Remember Monday performed. |
| Lauren Byrne, Charlotte Steele and Holly-Anne Hull performed What The Hell Just Happened, but were safe from elimination due to the UK's automatic qualification in the competition. | Lauren Byrne, Charlotte Steele and Holly-Anne Hull performed What The Hell Just Happened, but were safe from elimination due to the UK's automatic qualification in the competition. |
| The countries that qualified on Thursday for Saturday's final Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta, and Greece. | The countries that qualified on Thursday for Saturday's final Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta, and Greece. |
| They join the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland alongside the countries that qualified at Tuesday's semi final - Spain, Italy, Norway, Albania, Sweden, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, San Marino, Estonia, Portugal, and Ukraine. | They join the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland alongside the countries that qualified at Tuesday's semi final - Spain, Italy, Norway, Albania, Sweden, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, San Marino, Estonia, Portugal, and Ukraine. |
| Ireland, which is currrently the joint-record holder with Sweden for the most Eurovision wins, after taking the tropy seven times, failed to qualify on Thursday evening. | Ireland, which is currrently the joint-record holder with Sweden for the most Eurovision wins, after taking the tropy seven times, failed to qualify on Thursday evening. |
| Norwegian singer Emmy, who represented the country, did not get enough votes with Laika Party, about a Russian space dog. | Norwegian singer Emmy, who represented the country, did not get enough votes with Laika Party, about a Russian space dog. |
| She hoped to replicate the success of last year's entrant, Bambie Thug, who became the first Irish competitor to reach the grand final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in 2018. | She hoped to replicate the success of last year's entrant, Bambie Thug, who became the first Irish competitor to reach the grand final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in 2018. |