The BBC has confirmed that they will be collaborating with TaP music for a second year running to find the United Kingdom's Eurovision 2023 representative.
The continued partnership between the BBC and TaP Music in 2023 comes after a very successful debut in 2022, which saw the United Kindom’s representative Sam Ryder winning the jury vote, finishing in second place overall, and achieving the country’s highest Eurovision score ever with 466 points.
Rachel Ashdown, Commissioning Editor for the BBC has said: “We are thrilled that Ben Mawson and Ed Millett plus the team at TaP will once again bring their unrivalled expertise to work with the BBC and BBC Studios to find an act and song to represent the UK at Eurovision. I hope we can find another artist who will not only be a brilliant ambassador for Eurovision but like Sam will sing their head off with a stand out song.”
Suzy Lamb, MD for BBC Studios Entertainment and Music has said: “BBC Studios are looking forward to working closely with the team at TaP again to continue to build on the success of this year’s collaboration. After Sam Ryder’s incredible result in Turin, we have a hard act to follow, but are looking forward to the challenge of finding a stand-out act and song for Eurovision 2023 that will be cheered on by a home crowd!”
Ben Mawson and Ed Millett of TaP Music have said: “TaP are very excited to be back working with the BBC to select the UK entry for Eurovision 2023. Last year we wanted to change the narrative around the UK and Eurovision to something much more positive. We focussed on what Eurovision is all about – we found an brilliant artist, an unforgettable song and an incredible person in Sam Ryder – we’re so proud of his fantastic success, coming 2nd in the competition and then achieving a number 1 single. 2022 will be a hard act to follow but we’re more than ready for the challenge – Eurovision being held in the UK for 2023 is such an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of British musical talent. Our search starts here!”
Since Eurovision 2022, Sam Ryder has just gone from strength to strengh, and has seen his career really take off in the United Kingdom, across Europe, and to space, man. He has performed at various high profile gigs across the country, including Capital FM’s Summertime Ball, the Platinum Jubilee concert, the Platinum Party at the Palace, and performing the national anthem at Silverstone, among many others.
Sam released his follow up single to Space Man, “Somebody” just a few weeks ago, and has announced that his debut album, “There’s Nothing But Space, Man” will be released in November 2022.
The 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will be coming to the United Kingdom, after the BBC accepted the EBU’s invitation to host the contest in 2023, as they ruled that it could not be safely held in Ukraine.
Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield are the final seven cities that are bidding to host Eurovision 2023. The deadline for submitting their bids is today (September 8th). A decision on which city will host next years contest should be expected in the coming weeks.
Are you happy that the BBC and TaP Music will work togther again for Eurovision 2023? Which act would you like to see selected for next years contest? Let us know in the comments below!
