EUROVISION has been subject to the song contest’s biggest-ever shake-up after fans slammed a key switch as “cruel.”
The iconic singing competition, this year held in Liverpool Arena on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine, will see the final aired this weekend.
The Eurovision song contest has been subject to a huge shake-up days before the final
Semi final presenters Julia Sanina, Alesha Dixon and Hannah Waddingham will see tonight’s show judged differently
Yet tonight’s qualifying Eurovision stages have now been tweaked at the last minute.
Originally, the acts had been set to learn their fate on-stage, in front of their fellow competitors from across the globe.
Yet amid a backlash over the “cruel” system, things will now play out differently.
A statement has now revealed: “After trying a new system of presenting the qualifying countries in Dress Rehearsal 1 of the First Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 it was decided by the production team to revert back to the previous reveal sequence used in recent years with artists learning whether they will progress to the Grand Final together with their delegations in the Green Room.
“Whilst this change will not now be implemented this year there are other innovations in the show for viewers to look forward to.”
The format would have been similar to reality TV show The X Factor’s brutal six chair challenge.
Some branded the switch “cruel” while one fan wrote: “Oh I hate this.”
Previously, Twitter fan account Super TV had reported: “It’s confirmed: for the first time ever, the #Eurovision qualifiers will be announced live ON STAGE (giving X Factor results vibe) – rather than just announcing who’s made the final and showing their green room.”
Tonight’s semi final line-up features 15 countries, with the second semi final to air on Thursday.
The semi final hosts meanwhile are Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Julia Sanina.
The UK has already qualified so has an automatic pass to the Eurovision 2023 final on Saturday, with act Mae Muller representing the nation.
Previously, The Celeb Report recently exclusively revealed the plans to bring Eurovision 2023 to the UK.
The event will be broadcast live from 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Graham Norton will once again be commentating on all the Eurovision action for the broadcaster on Saturday.
The semi finalists were due to be told their fate live on stage in a format similar to The X Factor’s six-chair challenge
The UK has automatically qualified for the final and Mae Muller will represent the nation
