View Full Version : Norton: 'I'm not doing Eurovision'
Graham Norton has denied that he is being lined up as the next host of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Reports have suggested that the Irish comedian is in the frame to replace Terry Wogan, but he dismissed the idea as speculation, saying that no-one has spoken to him about the role.
"It's a really hard gig to take over from Terry because he is genius at it and has made it his own. I think they are changing the voting a bit so I'm sure he'll be back," he said.
Earlier this year, it was announced that juries are to return to the Eurovision Song Contest in an effort to stop tactical voting.
Wogan had previously branded the telephone poll system "ridiculous" as countries often give high marks to their neighbours.
I think Graham would do a brilliant job, shame he is saying NO :(
StarsOfCCTV
30-11-2008, 13:17
Shame he isn't. I hope the judges thing works out. :)
Awww it would be amazing if he did it :D
What's the deal with the judges?
[QUOTE=Abigail;628551]What's the deal with the judges?[/QUOTE
No deal with judges but rather having juries to decide about the points to award instead of countries voting politically.
AWWW grahame would have been brill as well!
SIR Terry Wogan has quit the Eurovision Song Contest after 35 years, TV Biz can reveal.
The 70-year-old legend — loved for his mickey-taking of the cheesy contest — will be replaced on BBC1 by Graham Norton.
Last night Terry told us: “I’ve had 35 wonderful years commentating on the Eurovision for radio and television.
“From my first, in a small music hall 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. I’ll be sad to leave it all behind, but I’ll be watching and listening, and happy to leave it in the witty hands of Graham.”
Terry has had enough after tactical Eastern bloc voting in recent years dashed the UK’s chances of winning.
He was left fuming after former X Factor finalist Andy Abraham finished in last place at the contest in May.
He lashed out, saying the results showed Eurovision was “no longer a music contest”, adding: “I don’t want to be presiding over yet another debacle.”
Andy got just 14 points for his song Even If. Russia won with 272 points.
Angry Terry told viewers: “Russia were going to be the political winners from the beginning, I think it’s tremendously disappointing from the point of view of the United Kingdom.”
Graham, 45, will also host talent contest Your Country Needs You, in which Andrew Lloyd Webber will help find an act to represent the UK in Russia next year.
He said: “Sir Terry is an impossible act to follow but 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?”
Terry said: “Let’s hope that between him and the musical brilliance of Lloyd Webber, Royaume Uni will gather its proper share of ‘Douze Points!’ and bring the Grand Prix home to where it belongs.”
:cheer: He will be a good successor to Sir Terry :thumbsup:
From the BBC website today
Sir Terry Wogan is stepping down as commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest after three decades.
Fellow Irishman Graham Norton will take over for the 2009 contest, which will be hosted in Moscow.
Veteran presenter Wogan, 70, cast doubt on whether he would be involved in covering the event again following this year's contest.
He said it was "no longer a music contest" and that prospects for western European participants were "poor".
The show has suffered from accusations of bloc voting, which was blamed by some for leaving Britain's 2008 contestant, Andy Abraham, with only 14 points.
Wogan said he would be "sad to leave it all behind".
He said: "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, Royaume Uni will gather its proper share of 'Douze Points' and bring the Grand Prix home to where it belongs."
Norton described it as "an amazing job and a huge honour".
He said: "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?"
Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One, thanked Sir Terry for his work on the programmes.
"Terry has enhanced viewer's enjoyment of Eurovision for many years," she said.
"I am delighted that Graham Norton will now be bringing his wit to bear on this iconic music event."
I thought he had already quit?
I think he was considering it but it has now been officially confirmed. :)
Oh I thought it had already been confirmed
Ooo I thought he wasnt doing it
:cheer: Glad he is :D
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.