Didn't Graham Norton say just the other day that he had not been approached about taking over the BBC's coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest, and that he was certain Terry Wogan would not step down? Liar. The BBC announced yesterday that Wogan was stepping down as commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest after three decades in the role, and that Norton would take over.
Wogan had previously said that he was reviewing whether he would continue to work on the Eurovision show in the future because of his ever increasing frustration of the power of all that political voting. Some said that because Eurovision chiefs were introducing a new panel judging process to complement the public vote, and hopefully reduce the power of political public voting, that Wogan would give it another year. But seemingly not.
Confirming he would no longer be involved in the Contest, Wogan told reporters yesterday: "I've had 35 wonderful years commentating on the Eurovision for radio and television. From my first, in a small musichall in Dublin, to my last, in the huge arena in Belgrade, it has been nothing but laughter and fun. The silly songs, the spectacle, the grandiose foolishness of it all. Let's hope that between [Norton] and the musical brilliance of Lloyd Webber [who will be involved in next year's UK entry], Royaume Uni will gather its proper share of 'Douze Points' and bring the Grand Prix home to where it belongs".
Norton said this was an "amazing job" and a "huge honour", but you know what he's like, he's probably lying again. He added: "Sir Terry is nothing less than legend and is an impossible act to follow, but somebody must and I just couldn't say no. I can't wait to get to Moscow. With a combination of cheap vodka and a language barrier what could possibly go wrong?"
Personally I'd have put Simon Amstell on Eurovision duties, but that could, I suppose, have led to actual as well as cultural war, so perhaps Norton is the right choice.
BBC1 boss Jay Hunt said: "Terry has enhanced viewer's enjoyment of Eurovision for many years. I am delighted that Graham Norton will now be bringing his wit to bear on this iconic music event".