The BBC has officially been given the greenlight to host the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK next year on behalf of Ukraine.
Ukraine triumphed at this year's event in Turin, months after the country was invaded by Russia in a war that has drawn almost universal condemnation around the world.
Local broadcaster UA:PBC had previously insisted that it would be able to stage a safe contest in May 2023, despite the possibility of the war still continuing then, but Eurovision organisers have ruled it out.
Instead, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) invited the BBC to step in as the new host following Sam Ryder's second-place finish in 2022.
The move is fitting as not only has the UK been one of Ukraine's fiercest allies during the war, but the BBC has also previously stepped in on four other occasions when the winning country was not able to host.
Although Eurovision 2023 will be hosted in the UK, the BBC said in a statement that it would work with UA:PBC to ensure that Ukrainian culture, music and values will be reflected throughout the contest.
BBC director-general Tim Davie said: "It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
"Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege.
"The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity.
"The BBC will now begin the process to find a host city to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023."
The cities to have already expressed an interest to host the contest include Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wolverhampton.
Neil Wilkes
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