EastEnders' Eurovision special to feature Bucks Fizz's Cheryl Baker

Eurovision 2023 — check out a full list of the latest odds below.This year’s instalment of the concert will take place in Liverpool, following the ongoing political conflict taking place in Ukraine — who won the competition last year. The semi-finals take place today (May 9) and Thursday (11 May), ahead of the grand finale on Saturday (13 May).Currently, Sweden is taking the lead with Loreen’s ‘Tattoo’, which has odds listed as 8/13 on bet365. The singer, who returned to the stage after winning the 2012 contest, is set to face tight competition from Finland this year.Represented by Käärijä with the song ‘Cha Cha Cha’, Finland is in second place with 9/4 according to bet365.

Australian DJ Ian Bell has sadly passed away in Paris while en route to the Eurovision Song Concert in the UK with his family. Ian, 60, suffered a heart attack on 2 May in the French capital, which was the first stop on his trip with his family that was said to also include a stop off in Liverpool to attend Eurovision 2023, according to the Advertiser. The DJ, who was also a music writer, photographer and record store owner, is survived by his wife Jordan, the couple's daughter Ruby and his sisters Susan and Janet, as reported by Daily Mail Australia.

Eurovision is so Graham Norton – and he can’t wait to host the first UK final in 25 years.The chat show host, 60, has been the Eurovision Song Contest’s commentator for Britain since 2009, but usually has to travel to a continental city to do it – and admits that being in the UK has left him slightly discombobulated. “I am so looking forward to it,” grins Graham. “I don’t know what it’s going to be like – I still can’t quite get my head around that it’s going to be in the UK, and it’s going to be in Liverpool.

The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest is happening this week!

Weeks after his unexpected death Paul O’Grady has appeared on screen once more, in a special short film to mark the opening of the Eurovision Song Contest and welcome the world to Liverpool.The late comedian and TV stalwart, originally from Birkenhead, Merseyside, was one of a host of celebs to take part in the film to show his pride in his home region – which is taking on competition hosting duties in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine.The project was one of the last things Paul filmed before his death, and his posthumous appearance has been approved by his family and friends. He died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on March 28 at the age of 67.

Former Eurovision champions Loreen and Kalush Orchestra have voiced their excitement ahead of the contest taking place in Liverpool this week.The city has been transformed for the international music competition, which the UK is hosting on behalf of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. Outside the series of arena live shows, two weeks of mostly free events are taking place featuring concerts, art exhibitions, flash mobs and more. Swedish singer Loreen told the PA news agency she “loved” the UK and hailed it as a “creative hub”.

Eurovision mania is in full swing as the official start of Eurovision week kicks off. Last year's winner, Ukraine, unfortunately couldn't handle the hosting duties due to the ongoing war. However, the United Kingdom stepped up to the plate and will host the contest in Liverpool Arena this week, which can hold up to 11,000 Eurovision-crazy fans.The home of The Beatles is pulling out all the stops to give the event a Ukrainian flair in their honour.

Natasha Hamilton reunited with her Atomic Kitten bandmate Liz McClarnon on Sunday, as the duo headed to Liverpool for the beginning of this year's Eurovision celebrations. Natasha, 40, who is pregnant with her fifth child, and Liz, 42, were among the famous guests at the National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome Party, which took place at St George's Hall in the city on 7 May.

Festivities will continue today to celebrate the King's Coronation with the Big Help Out volunteering event.The King and Queen will not be appearing publicly on Monday – the day of the Big Help Out, which is billed as a lasting volunteering legacy to mark Charles's crowning. Other royals will be out and about with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visiting the Coptic Orthodox Church in London, where young volunteers will be hosting a coronation street party.The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, will take part in a puppy class at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Training Centre in Reading.The Big Help Out day is organised by The Together Coalition and partners such as The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and faith groups from across the United Kingdom.

Eurovision Song Contest in 2024, sharing a new comedy single – watch below.The bid comes courtesy of Kiwi brewery Yeastie Boys, who have started a petition to urge organisers to let the country join neighbours Australia in the contest.Founder Stu McKinlay said: “We’ve become big Eurovision fans since arriving here in the UK but we really miss having our own country to cringe at while simultaneously supporting unwaveringly.“I was the youngest of five kids and whenever my older siblings went to gigs, I was too young to join them. Australia being in Eurovision, when New Zealand hasn’t been invited, gives me the same vibes and I don’t like it.”He added: “New Zealanders grow up with a sense of social justice being very important and Australia being invited to Eurovision without New Zealand is like inviting someone to your wedding but not giving them a plus one!“Everyone loves New Zealand and finds us cute and non-threatening and that makes us a sure thing for doing well in the public vote.

Music Venue Trust and The National Lottery have joined forces to host a one-off free gig at the Eurovision Village in Liverpool, which is set to take place later this month.Scheduled for next Wednesday (May 10), the show is the latest instalment to the ongoing ‘United By Music Tour’ which features over 20 gigs at 20 music venues across the city.This marks the third time that the two organisations have joined forces, and follows a previously-announced series of shows taking place in Liverpool between May 8 and May 12, which all sold out within four minutes.Designed to both celebrate the city’s iconic music scene and support grassroots venues throughout the UK, the acts performing at Wednesday’s show include The Lightning Seeds, Girls Don’t Sync, Michael Aldag, and Miles Kane.The event will be hosted at the Eurovision Village at Liverpool’s Pier Head. However, the tickets will not be sold in advance, so those wanting to attend are advised to head down quickly on the day, as all 15,000 spaces will be given out for free on a first-come-first-served basis.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Charlotte Church are among the names who have been lined up to perform at the official Eurovision 2023 village in Liverpool.According to the official website, the Eurovision Village, located in Pier Head, “is the first port of call for anyone touching down in the city and hoping to soak up as much Eurovision atmosphere as possible”. A nine day programme of events will be taking place, kicking off on May 5 and running until the day of the final on May 13.

EastEnders has released a fun first look at Cheryl Baker in a Eurovision special episode. In the spoiler photos, it sees the residents of Walford get into Eurovision spirit at The Prince Albert as they celebrate Kathy Beale's birthday.

EastEnders stalwart Natalie Cassidy's youngest daughter Joanie stole the limelight on her mum's Instagram this week. Rarely seen across the soap star's social channels, the six year old belongs to Natalie, 39, and her fiancé Marc Humphreys, and has an older half-sister named Eliza. Mum and daughter were at home in the kitchen when Natalie uploaded the shot in question, with the blondie dressed in her school uniform.

EastEnders is to air a new storyline that will deal with the eating disorder bulimia. Upcoming episodes will see Ben Mitchell, played by Max Bowden, struggle with the disorder and attempt to hide it from his family.The long-running soap has worked alongside leading UK eating disorder charity Beat to produce the storyline.

King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort Camilla Parker Bowles have unveiled the stage for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood will reunite to open the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, performing with its classic line-up for the first time since 1987 in the band’s hometown of Liverpool in England.BBC News reported yesterday (April 25) that the synth-pop band – specifically its classic line-up of Holly Johnson, Brian Nash, Paul Rutherford, Mark O’Toole and Peter Gill – will play a small set at the Eurovision opening ceremony on Sunday May 7.Sharing the news on his Instagram page, frontman Johnson noted he was “happy to announce” the group’s reunion and that the Eurovision festivities would be a “very special event”.The band are best known for the 80s hit single ‘Relax’, which was released in 1983 as their debut single and topped the charts in nine countries – including their native UK. The song was controversial for its time, receiving bans from both BBC Radio 1 and Top of the Pops due to the song’s suggestive and homoerotic nature.

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner broke down in tears after she completed the London Marathon in memory of her late, great co-star Barbara Windsor. Sunday marked the day that nearly 50k people ran the 26.2 mile course through the UK’s capital, with some completing the marathon in honour of various charities and organisations.

EastEnders star Heather Peace said the cast is “absolutely stoked” to have raised £50,000 in memory of their late co-star Dame Barbara Windsor by running the London Marathon.The star said fundraising for Alzheimer’s UK had gone “beyond our wildest expectations” and the team, known as Bab's Army, were especially grateful for people’s donations during the cost-of-living crisis. She was joined in the challenge by co-stars including Natalie Cassidy, Lacey Turner and Adam Woodyatt.

‌EastEnders favourite Jake Wood has said that he’s “gutted” after being given medical advice not to take part in the London Marathon, forcing him to pull out. He was due to take part in the marathon to help to raise funds for dementia charities in memory of much-loved Peggy Mitchell actress, Barbara Windsor.