The 2023 UK silly season has taken off with a big bang. After the excitement of the coronation – only the second one in 70 years- comes the euphoria of? Eurovision 2023 taking place in Liverpool. Although it is one of those contests that people either love or “love to hate”, there is universal curiosity to take a peek as the excitement builds up in the last week. The final part has kicked off and Liverpool is the destination this week.

Speaking with? SiGMA News, Independent Entertainment Researcher Luke Borg headed off to Liverpool at the end of last week. Each year he analyses the Eurovision line up and therefore he was able to share the latest news with us.

The UK were runners-up at the 2022 Eurovision as Ukraine won the competition. And the event has ended up in Liverpool to host the event this year on behalf of Ukraine. 37 countries are represented by aspiring hopeful Eurovision winners.

France climbing the charts

Interestingly Borg said that the same big screens used last night for the coronation concert of King Charles III in Windsor will be used for the Eurovision and he has seen them being transported and set up as early as this morning.

There are two hot favourites this year, Sweden and Finland. There is a lot of hype about the Swedish entry as Loreene has won the Eurovision before in 2012 with what must be the most iconic of Eurovision songs. The Finnish contestant is the second favourite and is the dark horse. I believe he could win. Finnish rapper and songwriter Jere P?yh?nen, known by his stage name as K??rij? will be singing “Cha Cha Cha”. The song is very different”. I must say I am rooting for him.” Luke Borg – Independent Entertainment Researcher

Borg adds that a large number of fans believe that Israel could also do quite well. He explains that France is also a strong contender – its a great visual show and has also been climbing up the charts since last Friday. There is also a lot of interest in the UK song, mainly because the singer is local. Mae Muller represents the UK with her single “I wrote a song”.

Bookies odds

Here are the bookies odds for Eurovision 2023:

• Sweden – 4/6
• Finland – 3/1
• Ukraine – 8/1
• France – 12/1
• Norway – 14/1
• Spain – 14/1
• Austria – 35/1
• United Kingdom – 50/1
• Italy – 50/1
• Czech Republic – 55/1

Finland is the dark horse

Graham Norton will be hosting the show with former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc. Other hosts include? BGT’s Alesha Dixon, Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.

If Sweden were to win this year it would be the country’s seventh overall victory, with its most recent being M?ns Zelmerl?w with Heroes in 2015. However, arguably Sweden’s best known win is ABBA in 1974 with Waterloo, which was named the greatest Eurovision song of all time.

The semi-finals will take place earlier in the week.

There’s plenty to get excited about says Borg with great enthusiasm. He concludes that he is backing Finland.

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