Eurovision Song Contest: Who Could Replace Graham Norton As Presenter?
Graham Norton has been the BBC's TV commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest since 2009, when he replaced Terry Wogan.
If he was ever to hang up his microphone there wouldn't be a shortage of applicants to replace him.
Claudia Winkleman recently filled in for the TV presenter on another of his longstanding commitments - The Graham Norton Show.
Graham has fronted his titular chat show since 2007, but The Traitors host stepped in while he was touring his new An Evening With Graham Norton show in Australia.
Comedian Jack Whitehall has also filled in when the Irish icon was preparing for the contest in Israel in 2019.
It's yet to be confirmed whether Graham will return to commentate on this year's Grand Final, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland, on May 17, but there is a competitive market on betting sites for when he does walk away from the gig.
Been There, Done It
If the BBC want a safe pair of hands when they replace Graham one day, then they have quite a few pairs to choose from.
Rylan Clark would surely be near the top of the list. The former Celebrity Big Brother star has been a co-commentator of the UK's Eurovision coverage since 2018, and he knows the competition inside out.
The reality TV star has the added bonus of being a singer himself, after shooting to fame on The X Factor in 2012, so he knows what it is like to perform.
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Last year, Rylan and Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills were co-commentators for the Eurovision semi-finals on BBC One, and the pair led the BBC Radio 2 commentary for the Grand Final, with Graham taking over on the small screen.
Scott is another obvious frontrunner for the job, and it wouldn't be a surprise if the BBC gave Graham's Grand Final job to both when he exits the role.
Rylan and Scott are 10/11 co-favourites on betting apps to step in for Graham, followed by former The Great British Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc (6/4).
Mel has Eurovision experience, too, after she took it in turns with Graham to commentate on the Grand Final when the UK hosted the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine.
Eurovision Odds: Who Will Replace Graham Norton As UK's Grand Final Commentator
Possible Presenter | Odds | Probability |
Rylan Clark | 10/11 | 52.4% |
Scott Mills | 10/11 | 52.4% |
Mel Giedroyc | 6/4 | 40% |
Claudia Winkleman | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Hannah Waddingham | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Olly Alexander | 3/1 | 25% |
Alesha Dixon | 4/1 | 20% |
Joanna Lumley | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Jack Whitehall | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Ant & Dec | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Claire Sweeney | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Sam Quek | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Hannah To Score Eurovision Role?
Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham is another who could be in contention for the coveted role. She is just 5/2 to replace Graham one day, and is no stranger to Eurovision either.
In 2023, Hannah co-presented the Grand Final to a global audience on stage alongside Graham, Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon and Julia Sanina, a Ukrainian singer-songwriter and frontwoman of The HARDKISS.
Alesha is 4/1 to get the commentary nod, but the BBC is more likely to turn to one of their regular hosts in Claudia.
She is a huge favourite at the channel as the co-host of juggernaut Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors, which is growing in popularity by the series.
Claudia is no stranger to stepping in for Graham, after doing so on his chat show lately, and she has shown on The Traitors just how funny she can be after several of her comical quips went viral in the latest series.
She is just 2/1 to land the job, while comedian Jack Whitehall has an outside chance at 6/1.
Olly's Dizzy Heights
Country-pop trio Remember Monday will represent the UK in this year's Eurovision, with their catchy tune What The Hell Just Happened?
They will be hoping to receive more than Olly Alexander's 46 points for his entry Dizzy, which saw him finish 18th at last year's spectacle.
While Olly is unlikely to represent the UK in the contest again, there's a chance he could join the commentary team. The singer and actor is 3/1 to replace Graham, and he is just in front of Dame Joanna Lumley (5/1) in the market.
The iconic British actress announced the UK's jury vote at last year's Eurovision Song Contest, and she could be in contention to voice her opinion.
If Graham was to hang up his microphone anytime soon, her dry sense of humour about the acts would work well.
Other names in the frame include Ant & Dec (7/1), Claire Sweeney (8/1) and Sam Quek (10/1).
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
