Why do we have Eurovision semi-finals and how do they work?
Olly Alexander will be heading straight to the Eurovision Grand Final (Picture: Christine Olsson /TT News Agency / AFP)
Eurovision is just around the corner, with the UK’s entry Olly Alexander set to take to the stage in Malmö, Sweden.
The Years and Years singer, 33, is following in the footsteps of Mae Muller and Sam Ryder, and will be performing his song Dizzy.
He’ll be competing in the 2024 Song Contest’s grand final, alongside members of the ‘Big 5’ of France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, as well as host country Sweden, following Loreen’s incredible win in Liverpool last year.
Only those six countries are already pre-qualified for the main event though, with the line-up being determined by two semi-finals on May 7 and 9, before the final spectacle on Saturday, May 11.
But what happens in a semi-final and why do we have them?
Here’s what you need to know….
Why do we have Eurovision semi-finals?
Eurovision semi-finals were introduced to accommodate the increasing number of countries who wanted to take part.
The number of willing participants began to increase in the 90s following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communism across Europe – with many newly independent countries wanting to take part.
They were welcomed into the fold at the 1993 contest, although initially the potential newcomers took part in a pre-qualifying contest which saw the top three progress to the final in Millstreet, Ireland.
Croatia made their debut as an independent nation in 1993 (Picture: Getty Images)
In this instance Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia fought off competition from Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Estonia, and all made their debut that year.
This was replaced the following year by a relegation system which saw the bottom seven countries from the previous year eliminated and forced to sit out proceedings in 1994.
This was then changed again in 1996, to see all contenders except host nation Norway having to undergo a preselection process decided by a jury vote.
We’re part of the ‘Big Five’ – aka the countries who are the biggest financiers of the contest – along with France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The previous year’s winners and host nation (normally one and the same) also receive an automatic place.
Although the UK does not have to compete at this stage, each of the automatic qualifiers is given the chance to vote in one of the semi-finals – which one is decided in the allocation draw.
This year, the UK is voting in the second semi-final on Thursday, May 11. You’ll be able to vote via phone or text, with details of how to do this revealed on the night.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to vote via the Eurovision Song Contest app.
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals air on Tuesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 9, at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. The Grand Final airs on Saturday, May 11, at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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