Sun May 18 02:10:00 UTC 2025: **Eurovision 2025: Basel Hosts Contest Amidst Controversy, UK Hopes Rest on Remember Monday**
Basel, Switzerland – The Eurovision Song Contest returns to its roots in Switzerland, with the grand final set to take place on Saturday, May 17th, at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel. Switzerland is hosting the event after Nemo’s victory in 2024 with “The Code.” This year’s theme, “Welcome Home,” celebrates the contest’s origins in Switzerland in 1956.
The UK’s entry this year is country-pop trio Remember Monday, who will perform their song “What The Hell Just Happened.” The band, formed at school in Farnborough, Hampshire, consists of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele. Lauren and Holly-Anne have previously starred in West End shows like Phantom of the Opera and Six: The Musical.
Graham Norton will host the live broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 20:00 BST, while Scott Mills and Rylan Clark will provide commentary on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer, and Michelle Hunziker will host the international coverage within the arena. Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is set to present the UK’s jury result live after Ncuti Gatwa withdrew from the role.
Thirty-seven countries are participating in Eurovision 2025. Montenegro returns after a hiatus since 2022, replacing Moldova.
The inclusion of Israel has sparked considerable controversy. More than 70 former Eurovision contestants, including the UK’s Mae Muller, have signed an open letter calling for Israel’s public broadcaster KAN to be banned, citing allegations of complicity in Israel’s actions in Gaza. Israel’s contestant, Yuval Raphael, said she expected to be booed during her performance.
First Piper 