In what was an awkward moment of live TV, BBC North West interviewed a Eurovision fan dressed as Finland’s act thinking it actually was him.
In case it’s not really on your radar, this week is officially Eurovision week, and fans of the world’s biggest song contest from all across the globe have descended on Liverpool as the North West city hosts the 2023 edition for the UK on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine.
A total of 37 countries from all across the continent have submitted songs for consideration in this year’s contest, but only six countries automatically qualify for the Grand Final this Saturday (13 May), which are reigning champions Ukraine, and the ‘Big Five’ – UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany – while the rest all need to battle it out for their spot.
Last night was the first Semi Final live show – with 15 countries competing for a place in the Grand Final on Saturday, but only 10 qualifying.
And Finland was one of those countries competing, and successfully qualifying.
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 9, 2023
Finland’s act this year is a pretty unique and memorable entry, to say the least, as singer Käärijä took to the M&S Bank Arena stage in Liverpool last night dressed in an eye-catching bright green outfit to perform his song ‘Cha Cha Cha’, which is described as being an “intoxicating blend of industrial metal and hyperpop”.
Currently second in the bookies’ odds behind Sweden’s returning superstar Loreen, Käärijä could’ve been considered a bit of a wildcard, but the Finnish rapper has ended up becoming both a critics and fan favourite – with thousands across the world now familiar with who he is and what he looks like.
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With Käärijä on his way to stardom, BBC North West Tonight managed to secure a live TV interview with him after booking his place in the Grand Final last night.
Except it wasn’t actually him at all, it was just an enthusiastic Eurovision fan dressed up like him.
The awkward mix-up was part of a wider news segment where BBC North West Tonight reporters headed out onto the streets of Liverpool to interview fans about the show and their experience in the city so far.
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The presenter asked the Käärijä superfan: “How do you think Liverpool has done out there?”, to which they responded: “Incredible. In comparison with the countries that I’ve been [to] this is better organised, everything is walking distance and it’s so friendly. Everything is just so easy around here, it’s incredible.”
As the fan spoke, a title card appeared underneath reading “Käärijä – Finland entrant”, and viewers took to social media to react and point out the error.
The second Semi Final will air tomorrow at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, before the Grand Final hit screens from 8pm on Saturday 13 May.
Featured Image – BBC North West Tonight
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Emily Sergeant -
10th May 2023 
