Manchester has officially been knocked out of the running to be the host city of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
The BBC has provided an update on the bidding process for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest today, and has now confirmed that two cities, Glasgow and Liverpool, remain in competition to be the 2023 Host City.
But after what the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has called a “detailed assessment process”, these seven cities have been reduced to two, and further discussions will now take place with officials from Glasgow and Liverpool to determine who will get the hosting nod.
A final decision will be made “within weeks”.
ADVERTISEMENT
And then there were two…
We can now reveal that #Eurovision 2023 will be hosted in either Glasgow or Liverpool 🥳
Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest, has thanked the competing cities for their cooperation over the past few months.
“The EBU would like to warmly thank all the seven British cities that put so much effort and enthusiasm into their bids to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We very much appreciate their cooperation and the quality and creativity of all the bids received.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is the most complex TV production in the world with very specific logistical requirements to accommodate around 40 delegations and thousands of crew, volunteers, press and fans, and we’re confident our final two cities are the best placed to meet this challenge.
“We look forward to continuing our discussions to choose the one which will stage the world’s largest music event next May.”
Manchester is officially out of the running to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 / Credit: Flickr
Responding to the announcement that Manchester is out of the running, Cllr Bev Craig – Leader of Manchester City Council – said: “We are of course disappointed not to be chosen to host next year’s Eurovision, but we know that the successful city will put on an incredible event on behalf of our friends in Ukraine.
“Good luck to Liverpool and Glasgow.
“We can’t wait to see what the chosen city has in store for the show next year.”
Manchester has not been chosen to host Eurovision 2023 😔🥺😢
But we wish a massive good luck to the final shortlisted cities Liverpool and Glasgow! pic.twitter.com/d5qSF3SyRL
Cllr Pat Karney also added: “Congratulations to both great cities. I am disappointed but am sure one day Manchester will host Eurovision.
“We can bid with our new stadium.”
Featured Image – Corinne Cumming (via EBU)
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
27th September 2022 
