BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has likened the Eurovision Song Contest to the pinnacle of football tournaments, referring to it as “our World Cup”. As the 2025 contest preparations gain momentum, Mills is set to provide live commentary alongside Rylan Clark for the semi-finals on BBC One.
Are you looking forward to Eurovision? Can we win this year? Have your say in our comments section.
Mills, known for his lively commentary, is eagerly anticipating the semi-finals, describing Eurovision as a time of “joy” and “love” that allows viewers to briefly escape reality.
Mills noted that Eurovision brings people together, stating: “Eurovision is like a melting pot and we’re all there for the same reason and everyone can chat and talk about what songs they like and what they don’t like.”
He also acknowledged that discussions among Eurovision fans can become intense, saying: “Sometimes it can turn into a bit of a heated discussion and you get into the real nitty gritty of, like, ‘Well, why do you think their staging is better than this?’ and ‘Why is their song better?'”.
A lifelong Eurovision fan, Mills compared the experience to football fandom, explaining: “It’s a bit like what people do with football but with songs, and for us fans we absolutely adore it, it’s our World Cup. I look forward to it so much and that’s what’s magical about it, reports the Mirror.
Everyone’s there for the same reason” Mills celebrated the unique escape that Eurovision offers, stating: “The world can be a horrible place, but for a week you can go somewhere you’ve probably never been before and you can shut out the world and it’s just happy, happy, joy, joy and love.”
He further declared: “There is no bad news at Eurovision and it’s all you think about and all you talk about and all you hear when you’re there all week. And that is sometimes a welcome switch-off from the world.”
This year, British hopes at the Eurovision Song Contest rest on the vibrant all-girl band Remember Monday, with their song ‘What The Hell Just Happened?’
The trio, made up of mates Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, and Charlotte Steele, are not only the first group since 2016 to fly the UK flag at Eurovision, but they’re also the first all-female group to do so since Precious back in ’99.
From the UK’s glittering past in this beloved international spectacle, we’ve notched up five victories, three of which were by bands: Brotherhood Of Man triumphed in 1976, Bucks Fizz bubbled up to the top in 1981, and Katrina And The Waves shone bright in 1997. Solo legends Sandie Shaw and Lulu clinched the win in 1967 and 1969.
Last year’s performer, Sam Ryder, came close to glory with his smash ‘Space Man’, achieving a stellar second place just behind Ukraine’s act.
The “Big Five” nations, including the UK, are poised to shine in the semi-finals, joining a roster of past Eurovision favourites from this year’s host country, Switzerland. Fans won’t want to miss a beat, with live commentary available on BBC Radio 2 courtesy of Richie Anderson and Sara Cox.
Eurovison die-hards better save the date for the show-stopping final on May 17, set to be broadcast live from Basel, Switzerland, with coverage kicking off on BBC One and iPlayer at 8pm.
Are you looking forward to Eurovision? Can we win this year? Have your say in our comments section.
