Interview with Rylan on Eurovision 2024 Semi-Finals

Commentator on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

What was it like hosting Eurovision on home turf last year?

It was amazing, so unreal to host Eurovision in the UK on behalf of Ukraine, however I’m looking forward to going to Sweden this year.

Do you think hosting in Liverpool last year has bought a new found love of Eurovision to the UK?

I hope so. The contest is incredible and hopefully more people from the UK will be up for the party this year.

Have you ever been to Sweden before?

I have! I went to the Melodifestivalen final in Stockholm last year, which is the Swedish selection show, ahead of Eurovision where Loreen was chosen to represent Sweden , so that was amazing to be at, especially as she went on to win Eurovision!

What do you think about the UK entry this year?

Olly is amazing, I love the track and I know he’s going to smash it.

Other than the UK, do you have any personal favourites from this year’s entries?

At this stage, I tend not to have any favourites, but normally during the week of Eurovision a few really start to stand out that you just can’t get out of your head.

Which past Eurovision artist would you most like to duet with?

I’ve duetted with Loreen before, but I’d like to do it again with a full production.

What can we expect from the Semi-Finals this year?

Everything you love from me and Scott, just in Swedish!

The world’s biggest music competition returns this May as the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, one of the longest-running and most-watched non-sporting events in the world, is broadcast live from Malmö on the BBC.

On Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 May, the Semi-Finals will be hosted by commentators Scott Mills and Rylan, live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Over on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, Richie Anderson will be taking the reins for the first time and leading the commentary on the airwaves.

As one of the ‘Big Five’ countries (United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy), the United Kingdom gains automatic access to the Saturday Grand Final, and as last year’s winner, Sweden are also guaranteed a place in the Grand Final.

In the days leading up to the big night, the BBC will also be providing coverage of the two Semi-Finals, and in a Eurovision first, the ‘Big Five’ countries and this year’s hosts Sweden, will be providing viewers with early preview performances at the Semi-Finals. Representing the United Kingdom, Olly Alexander will perform his song ‘Dizzy’ in full for the first time on the Eurovision stage during the first Semi-Final on Tuesday 7 May.

Ten countries from each Semi-Final will win a place in the Grand Final on Saturday 11 May, where 26 acts will perform for their country. But only one can be crowned the new Eurovision champion.

The BBC’s Eurovision Song Contest 2024 coverage is a BBC Studios Entertainment production, commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producers are Andrew Cartmell and Lee Smithurst. The Creative Director for BBC Studios Entertainment North is Pete Ogden and Suzy Lamb is the Managing Director of Entertainment & Music at BBC Studios. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Ruby Kuraishe.

• The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals air on Tuesday 7 May and Thursday 9 May, at 8pm on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.