The singer and television personality has told the BBC that this year’s event is “so much more than a competition“, adding that “It’s very important. We feel that sense of responsibility, to do it with joy, love“.

Dixon will host this year’s Eurovision Song Contest alongside actress Hannah Waddingham, perhaps best known for her role in the comedy series Ted Lasso, and Julia Sanina, front woman of Ukrainian alternative rock band The Hardkiss, with the trio set to be joined by television presenter Graham Norton for the final.

Sanina has also stressed the competition’s importance, telling the BBC, “Even last year, when people were watching Eurovision from bomb shelters, lots of them were still voting and wanted to win“.

Waddingham added, “We have to always balance the joy and the love with what Julia just said. People voting from the bomb shelters hits me more than anything and there’s the reason I wanted to get involved“.

The competition was originally supposed to be hosted by Ukraine, given that the country, represented by rap group Kalush, won the event last year with the song “Stefania“, receiving the most amount of votes the competition has seen in its history. Organisers decided, however, that it was too dangerous to host this year’s event in the war-torn country following the Russian invasion, and Liverpool has stepped in to play host.

Watch Kalush in the 2022 Winner’s Performance below:

This motto for this year’s contest, ‘United by Music’, encompasses fully what responsibility the event has for the country, and indeed for the people, of Ukraine. Staunchly anti-war and a vehicle of peaceful protest, the contest is set to be a proud example of what the world of music can do in the face of injustice and indiscriminate violence, standing tall for the values of peace and prosperity and upright and strong with Ukraine in the face of hostile adversity.

Watch the video for Mae Muller’s “I Wrote a Song“, the official UK entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, below:

The competition is set to commence on May 9th with the first of the semi-finals, with the other being on May 11th. The final will then be held on May 13th. Full coverage of the event will be provided by the BBC. See here for a full breakdown of all the songs that will be performed.

Broadcasted across the BBC, the show is set to be like no other this year. Expect to have a whole series of different shows and programmed content for the audience to indulge in as a build up between broadcasts. For the first time ever the Semi-Finals and the Grand Final will be aired live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. During which they will provide wall to wall entertainment to the shows fans across TV, BBC iPlayer, the radio, BBC Sounds and online.

This distinguished event hosts the participation of 37 countries and the winning of a life changing trophy. Last year the Ukrainian rap group Kalush, who formed in 2019, took their humble victories home with a whopping 631 points. A third victory for the countries Eurovision history.

During the whole week there will be highlights from The One Show and BBC Breakfast live from Liverpool. Whilst BBC Radio and BBC Sounds deliver entertainment in the meantime, BBC 2 will be the main lodging for the actual broadcasting of the show.

The vast selection of entertainment will be carried out by our country’s leading and quick witted hosts to ensure a good running throughout the Eurovision display. For our Grand Final commentary we will be guided through by the English radio DJ and presenter Scott Mills and the renowned broadcaster Rylan. The Semi-Finals will be presented by the BBC presenter Paddy O’Connell. Whilst both Semi-Finals broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer will be presented by Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina and Hannah Waddingham as well as the appearance Graham Norton joining the musical trio for the Grand Final.

“We couldn’t be more proud and excited to give our audiences such a huge array of world class Eurovision content. It’s an honour for the BBC to host the show on behalf of Ukraine, and we’re committed to do them proud. The level of collaboration and coordination across so much of the output is truly amazing. Let the Eurovision Song Contest begin!” Expressed Kate Phillips, BBC Director.

Not only will the contestants be taking to the stage but special visitors from around the world also. Artists such as Rita Ora, last years winners Kalush, UK star Sam Ryder, Rebecca Ferguson, Alyosha and more to be announced.

This years Eurovision Song Contest will be running from the 9th May to the 13th.