‘The man who was and always will be the voice of Eurovision’: Graham Norton pays heartfelt tribute to the late Sir Terry Wogan as he follows tradition and encourages viewers to raise a glass during song nine
Graham Norton paid a moving tribute to the late Sir Terry Wogan during the grand final of the Eurovision Song contest on Saturday.
The comedian, 60, took over the UK’s amusing commentary of the contest from Sir Terry in 2009, after Sir Terry did the voiceover from 1971 to 2008.
During his years on the job, Sir Terry, who died in from cancer at the age of 77 in 2016, would always pour himself a glass of Baileys Irish Cream during the ninth song of the competition.
During the broadcast on BBC One, Graham told viewers: ‘I would urge you to raise whatever’s in front of you, a glass, a cup, a mug and toast the memory of the late great Sir Terry Wogan.
‘The man who was and always will be the voice of Eurovision,’ before adding: ‘Sir Terry.’
Heartfelt: Graham Norton, 60, paid a moving tribute to the late Sir Terry Wogan during the grand final of the Eurovision Song contest on Saturday
Legendary: The comedian, 60, took over the UK’s amusing commentary of the contest from Sir Terry in 2009, after Sir Terry did the voiceover from 1971 to 2008 (Sir Terry pictured in 2015)
Sweden’s Loreen performed her song Tattoo in the ninth slot, with many viewers taking to Twitter to share some heartfelt words of their own and pictures of themselves holding up their drinks in tribute.
One person wrote: ‘Graham Norton quite rightly asking the nation to raise a glass to Terry Wogan. What a voice. Superb on telly, including Eurovision, of course. But for me, king of the wireless. Effortless brilliance from one of the best we’ve ever known on that medium. Here’s to you, Tel.’
Someone else wrote: ‘Remember to toast Terry Wogan on song nine. Terry used to pour himself a Baileys at this point.’
‘It’s song number 9 so I’m raising a glass to the legendary Sir Terry Wogan,’ tweeted another viewer.
One other Eurovision fan wrote: ‘Here’s to you Terry Wogan!! Let’s see what 2023 holds – I’m sure you’ll be looking down.’
While someone else shared: ‘Song number 9. Terry Wogan definitely not forgotten.’
Another viewer wrote: ‘Watching #Eurovision and we’ve just raised a glass to #TerryWogan – a legend and much missed. Now bring it on Liverpool!’
Graham made an appearance on stage at the start of the final ceremony as he welcomed viewers alongside alongside co-hosts Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
Cheers: Many viewers taking to Twitter to share some heartfelt words of their own and pictures of themselves holding up their drinks in tribute
Special moment: Sweden’s entry Loreen took to the stage in the ninth slot, which was when Sir Terry would pour himself a glass of Baileys Irish Cream every year
Hannah said the UK was ‘so very proud’ to be ‘taking the reins’ and hosting on behalf of Ukraine, while Julia thanked the British public.
Norton added: ‘United we are, well out here. But backstage the competition is fierce.’
Alesha looked glamorous as she wore a one-shouldered blue sequinned dress, while Julia wore a full-length yellow dress with a structured neckline.
Hannah wore an off the shoulder purple metallic dress and Graham donned a black suit with silver detail.
The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest kicked off in Liverpool with a flag parade featuring the countries vying for its coveted glass microphone trophy.
The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance playing the piano in a pre-recorded opening video featuring last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra.
They were also joined by 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder playing guitar on the top of the Liver Building with Andrew Lloyd Webber on piano.
All stars: Graham (right) made an appearance on stage at the start of the final ceremony as he welcomed viewers with co-hosts (L-R) Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina and Hannah Waddingham
Patriotic: The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest kicked off in Liverpool with a flag parade featuring the countries vying for its coveted glass microphone trophy (UK entrant Mae Muller pictured)
In the auditorium, a troupe of drummers joined Kalush Orchestra on stage to open the grand final as pyrotechnics lit up the arena.
The Chemical Brothers track Hey Boy Hey Girl was played as the countries competing in the final began to walk onto the stage with their national flags.
Former Ukrainian contestants Go-A, Tina Karol and Jamala, who won for Ukraine in 2016, performed in between the contestants appearing.
The UK’s Mae Muller walked out onto the stage before the crowd were treated to a performance from Verka Serduchka, who entered the contest for Ukraine in 2007.
Graham Norton welcomed viewers to the final alongside alongside co-hosts Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
Hannah said the UK was ‘so very proud’ to be ‘taking the reins’ and hosting on behalf of Ukraine, while Julia thanked the British public.
Graham added: ‘United we are, well out here. But backstage the competition is fierce.’
Twenty-six were set to perform at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool to an expected global audience of 160 million viewers, according to the BBC.
Dynamic duo: Music duo Tvorchi, who are competing for Ukraine this year, appeared on stage during the final of the Eurovision Song contest 202
Animated: Joker Out of Slovenia were seen during the flag ceremony during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool
Born to perform: Teya and Salena from Austria posed on stage at the start of the Grand Final of the 67th annual Eurovision Song Contest
The city is hosting on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, who won last year’s contest but are unable to host due to the Russian invasion.
Austria’s Teya and Salena were first on stage with quirky dance-pop tune Who The Hell Is Edgar? – about being possessed by the ghost of 19th century Gothic author Edgar Allan Poe.
Mae Muller will close the show with I Wrote A Song – a slot generally considered a disadvantage.
But they all face tough competition from previous winner Loreen, representing Sweden, and Kaarija, representing Finland, both favourites to win.
Champs: Last year’s winners, Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine, performed at the start of this year’s Eurovision
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