BBC confirms star-packed Eurovision Song Contest 2026 presenting line-up – including new and returning faces

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The BBC announced a fantastic group of hosts for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, marking the event’s 70th anniversary!

To celebrate Eurovision’s return, the BBC is offering lots of special content on TV, radio, and online to unite the country and support this year’s UK contestant, Look Mum No Computer.

As a huge fan, I’m thrilled to hear the whole contest will be live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, Radio 2, and BBC Sounds! And the commentary team is fantastic – it’s going to be a blast having Graham Norton, the absolute Eurovision legend, leading the charge, alongside the always-entertaining Rylan and the brilliant Sara Cox. I can’t wait for their witty takes and expert analysis!

Angela Scanlon, a huge Eurovision enthusiast, will join Rylan Clark to provide live commentary for the semi-finals on BBC, taking place on Tuesday, May 12th, and Thursday, May 14th.

Being a part of Eurovision feels incredible – it’s both exciting and a little scary! I’ve been watching it with my sisters since I was a kid, and we always took scoring very seriously, so to actually be involved, especially during its 70th anniversary, is truly surreal.

This show has always been a constant presence, changing over time but still retaining its unique charm and energy. I’ve had the pleasure of being involved with Eurovision previously, and I’m thrilled to be back – this time with even more glamorous shoes and sparkles!

Rylan said, “This year marks the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, and it’s truly the largest show of its kind. I never dreamed I’d be a part of something this massive.”

Former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner, Tia Kofi, is giving BBC digital viewers all the latest news and exclusive behind-the-scenes access from this year’s event, including interviews with the performers and a look at what happens behind the scenes.

I’m thrilled to be back as the BBC’s digital presenter for Eurovision, especially for its 70th anniversary! Watching Eurovision was a big part of my childhood, and I can’t wait to share the music, the spirit of togetherness, and this milestone year with everyone.

This year’s competition is shaping up to be very close, with amazing songs from all over the world. We’ve got some fantastic performers, including established stars like Boy George and Delta Goodrem, as well as exciting acts like Look Mum No Computer.

Get ready for an unforgettable year! Austria hasn’t won the competition since Conchita Wurst’s victory in 2014, and now, after 11 years, we’re excited to bring the fun, sparkle, and music back to Vienna.

Sara Cox is back on BBC Radio 2 to host the semi-finals and final of the competition. Rylan will join her for the final show on Saturday, May 16th.

Graham Norton will once again provide commentary for the Eurovision grand final, offering his signature humor throughout the show. With all 25 remaining countries – including the UK – competing, the competition is wide open and anything could happen.

Norton expressed his excitement about returning to host the Grand Final, especially during this significant 70th anniversary celebration.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, BBC’s Head of Entertainment, announced that the BBC will continue to be the UK home of Eurovision. This year, to mark the contest’s 70th anniversary, the BBC will offer a wide range of content across all its platforms for viewers to enjoy.

Eurovision is a huge event, particularly with young people, and it’s a night that brings the country together to celebrate. We’re thrilled for viewers to see what our UK contestant, Look Mum No Computer, has planned – it promises to be a truly memorable performance!

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The Eurovision Song Contest has received a lot of criticism for letting Israel compete this year, given the current war happening in Gaza.

Several countries are choosing not to participate in this year’s contest because the organization in charge, the European Broadcasting Union, decided against banning Israel from competing.

In December 2025, the EBU held a meeting where members voted to establish rules preventing governments or outside groups from unfairly boosting certain songs to sway voting results. However, they did not vote on whether Israel would be allowed to participate.

The European Broadcasting Union announced that most of its members agreed no new vote was necessary regarding participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. The contest will move forward as scheduled, with extra safety measures added.

After that, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland announced they wouldn’t be competing in Eurovision this year.

Ireland’s public broadcaster, RTÉ, has stated that it believes it’s inappropriate for Ireland to participate in the upcoming event, considering the tragic loss of life and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which continues to endanger civilians.

The BBC, the UK broadcaster for the competition, backs the EBU’s decision. In a statement, they explained it’s about following the competition rules and ensuring everyone feels welcome.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final will take place on Saturday 16 May 2026.

If you’re as fascinated by Eurovision as I am, you might also want to see a complete list of all the past winners. And, being British, I’m always curious to see how many times the UK has actually taken home the trophy!

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-05-01 02:35