Terry Wogan quits Eurovision role

[moonstorm]

Terry Wogan has confirmed that he will no longer be presenting the Eurovision Song Contest.

The Radio 2 DJ, who has fronted the BBC's coverage for 37 years, said it was "time for someone else to take over".

"I was considering giving up before Belgrade, and now I have to say I'm very doubtful about ever wanting to do Eurovision again," Wogan told the Radio Times.

In this year's contest, Britain's Andy Abraham only earned 14 points, while the Russian winner Dima Bilan bagged 272.

Commenting on the 2008 contest, Wogan said: "Days before the show, I knew Russia would win. The fact is, Putin was getting nasty, which means the former satellite states were always going to vote for Russia in order to keep the oil coming.

"It's unfortunate, I suppose, but whereas we have always taken Eurovision with a pinch of salt, the former Eastern Bloc countries are not sufficiently versed in the ways of democracy to realise they are supposed to be voting for a song, not a next-door neighbour."


It will never be the same again!!

[Bryan]

R.I.P Eurovision.

[DaVeyWaVey]

Good on Terry for quitting - he's finally seen the light and has realised that Eurovision isn't about voting for the songs anymore.

[Chris_2k11]

Eurovision is a load of tosh now anyway imo

[Bryan]

the only good thing to ever come of Eurovision is ABBA, other that that it's the biggest load of over-hyped tripe ever.

[Meh]

I used to love watching it in the 80s. Not so much now

[Siobhan]

the only good thing to ever come of Eurovision is ABBA, other that that it's the biggest load of over-hyped tripe ever.

ah come on Bry, what about Buck fizz???
I love that Ireland won it 7 times..

[Chloe O'brien]

Good on Terry. Eurovision hasn't been about the music for years now. It's about time the UK withdrew it's support and let the Eastern Euorpean Countries do what they like. The Eurovision Dancing Competition is being held next months and the UK will come last in that as well despite how good a performance is.

[di marco]

i heard this on the radio yesterday. i dont think it will be the same with someone else hosting it. although i understand why hes quit, its not about the songs anymore and everyone knows which countries will win and which countries will always get really low scores. the western european countries dont stand a chance anymore and if they all decided to not enter then i wonder what all these eastern european countries would do then seeing as they dont really put any money into it. its a shame cos the first part watching all the songs is a bit of fun but the political voting just makes the whole thing pointless

[JustJodi]

All I can say is GOOD FOR YOU SIR WOGAN,, really Eurovision has gone down the potty for a long time, it was becoming more and more one sided ( Eastern Europe)As every one said it was no longer about the songs,, but the POLITICS,,
Time for the UK to withdraw their support and MONEY then let the Ruskies do what they want .:thumbsup:
Wonder who they will replace Sir Wogan with IF the Uk remains in the competion???:searchme: :hmm:

[sindydoll]

the only good thing to ever come of Eurovision is ABBA, other that that it's the biggest load of over-hyped tripe ever.
bucks fizz were the best thing that came out of eurovision :cheer:

[moonstorm]

Graham Norton will replace Terry Wogan as the host of the BBC's Eurovision Song Contest coverage, reports The Sun.

Wogan, who has presented coverage for 37 years, confirmed earlier in the week that he would not return for further contests.

The BBC is now courting Norton to host the reality show Song For Europe, which will decide Britain's 2009 entry, and provide live commentary for the event.

A source is quoted as saying: "The BBC need an alternative and Graham is their man. He is currently talking to bosses about the Song For Europe show, which will run some time in March next year.

"Execs have big plans for the show and want to make it more glitzy, with one eye on X Factor. Terry may decide he still wants to do the commentary for the actual contest but if he doesn't, Graham will do that as well."

Wogan blamed his departure on the "political voting" system of the contest, stating that "former Eastern Bloc countries are not sufficiently versed in the ways of democracy to realise they are supposed to be voting for a song, not a next-door neighbour".

[sindydoll]

well they did say that it might be scrapped!!

[StarsOfCCTV]

Seems like Graham Norton presents everything now :lol:

Won't be the same without Wogan. Good for him.

[pookie1968uk]

we should just pull out of eurovision and not bother, its a waste of time anyway!!!
what a surprise, graham norton for a change!!

[senorita]

Good on ya Sir Terry for quitting, you are much too good for that show these days. He was great at the comic quotes he came up with at times, but it wasnt about laughter, it was about a song competition, well that is until it became the political show.

Graham Norton.....wait for it .....dial 0898 111222333 for Act 1
0898 111222334 for Act 2 and so on....what a joke, time Eurovision went byebyes!

[sindydoll]

graham norton is a prat:thumbsdow

[di marco]

cant believe graham norton is going to do it, hes so annoying!