May 7 – Interview with Graham Norton commentator on BBC One and Player

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

Hosting Eurovision on home turf last year was extraordinary. The standout moments for me were the whole arena singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and that amazing reaction after Mae Muller had performed. I’ve never heard anything like it.

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

I think the UK has always loved Eurovision and having the Grand Final in Liverpool just made that love more intense. Hopefully everyone this year will rally around young Olly and cheer him on his way.

Have you ever been to Sweden before?

I’ve only been to Sweden when they have hosted Eurovision, so, as far as my memory serves, this will be my third trip. I’m really looking forward to it because they always put on a great show.

What do you think about the UK entry this year?

Having a bona fide pop star representing the UK this year is a great start. Olly has already done all the things that it’s impossible to prepare someone for. He has played to huge crowds, he can relate to the cameras, and he is used to high pressure situations. Add to that, the fact that the song is a massive bop and I think we could do really well this year.

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

In a year when lots of countries are trying to recreate the mayhem of Finland’s entry from last year (Cha Cha Cha,) I think a big ballad like Mon Amour from France might do very well, but I have to say I also have a soft spot for Nemo representing Switzerland, and look out for Belgium too!

What’s more nerve-wracking for you, the Eurovision final or interviewing A-list celebrities?

I think the nerves are very different doing Eurovision compared to my own show. Big celebrities can be very intimidating, but nothing can prepare you for a live broadcast that often lasts for almost four hours. There isn’t the safety net of an edit. If you say it, people can hear it, and sometimes as the evening wears on it becomes harder to remember that!

This year celebrates 50 years since ABBA won the contest in Brighton, do you have any favourite memories of ABBA since then?

ABBA occupy such a special place in all our lives and their music has been on such a strange journey from huge pop hits, that became cheesy favourites, back to being really credible songs again. I can’t think of any other group who have done that. The fact that their holograms can sell out shows every night tells you something about how much everyone loves ABBA.