— by liverpool? well, liverpool did a ureat 'ob by liverpool?nian culture _ greatjob by sharing the ukrainian culture which _ greatjob by sharing the ukrainian culture which is _ greatjob by sharing the ukrainian culture which is like _ greatjob by sharing the ukrainian culture which is like something i. culture which is like something i really— culture which is like something i really appreciate _ culture which is like something i really appreciate with _ culture which is like something i really appreciate with the - culture which is like something i. really appreciate with the ukrainian corner— really appreciate with the ukrainian corner and — really appreciate with the ukrainian corner and the _ really appreciate with the ukrainian corner and the eurovision - really appreciate with the ukrainian corner and the eurovision village i corner and the eurovision village where _ corner and the eurovision village where people _ corner and the eurovision village where people can _ corner and the eurovision village where people can try— corner and the

all: we love liverpool!n the 19th century, the port of liverpool was considered the busiest on the planet. at one time, an estimated 40% of global trade passed through these waters, exporting the fruits of the industrial revolution and importing commerce, culture and people from everywhere to england's northwest coast. these days, liverpool is known for a lot more than that — music, entertainment and this year, the eurovision song contest. it's thought the event could end up attracting an extra 100,000 people to come and see england's only unesco city of music. so i've got one question. why are scousers such good entertainers? there's a long line of musicians, actors and comedians with deep connections to the city. i'm back from london! but new times mean new opportunities to entertain. i'm only at the - eurovision, aren't i?! like this one—man viral sensation. it's scott and rylan! he calls himself the queen of scotty road and he's as close to a professional scouser as you can get. 0h, hi. how are you? nice

, ., , liverpool? yes, of course, you can watch it on — liverpool?e, you can watch it on tv _ liverpool? yes, of course, you can watch it on tv for _ liverpool? yes, of course, you can watch it on tv for free. _ liverpool? yes, of course, you can watch it on tv for free. if- liverpool? yes, of course, you can watch it on tv for free. if you - liverpool? yes, of course, you can watch it on tv for free. if you had l watch it on tv for free. if you had to liverpool and don't have a ticket for any live shows in that arena you can head down to the univision village. it is free every day this week until saturday and you can watch the live shows on big screens, univision performers, past and present singers will be live on stage. the group who won for ukraine last year when on stage last night and perform 235,000 people. and you didn't have to pay a penny to get into them. == didn't have to pay a penny to get into them-— didn't have to pay a penny to get into them. g; :: :: :: :: , .,, didn't have to pay a penny to get into them. g; :: 11:11: , .,, i. into

it's the first time in liverpool _ about liverpool hosting?ool hosting? it's the first time in liverpool and we - about liverpool hosting? it's the | first time in liverpool and we are amazed — first time in liverpool and we are amazed by— first time in liverpool and we are amazed by the atmosphere and the city and _ amazed by the atmosphere and the city and the people here. it's absolutely great to be here. and you have some family _ absolutely great to be here. and you have some family still— absolutely great to be here. and you have some family still in _ absolutely great to be here. and you have some family still in ukraine, i have some family still in ukraine, and they were watching eurovision last year as you are. how did you feel when you saw your country win? we have been so proud of them and we are in— we have been so proud of them and we are in the _ we have been so proud of them and we are in the orchestra supporting our ukrainian — are in the orchestra supporting our ukrainian team as well, so we believe — ukrainian team as well, s

i was going to go b train come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but — come to liverpool.o by train but no one _ come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but no one seems _ come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but no one seems to - come to liverpool. i was going to go by train but no one seems to be - by train but no one seems to be going _ by train but no one seems to be going anywhere. the by train but no one seems to be going anywhere-— by train but no one seems to be going anywhere. the day after train drivers walked _ going anywhere. the day after train drivers walked out, _ going anywhere. the day after train drivers walked out, union _ going anywhere. the day after train drivers walked out, union members are back on picket lines. 19 rail companies are expected to be affected and there's yet more frustration for passengers. the rail delivery group represents the train companies represent workers. union leaders say situation is complicated but insist they haven't deliberately targeted big events. if but insist they haven't deliberately targeted big event

glasgow and liverpool. the time has come, l and liverpool.on, can you reveal which city will host the eurovision song contest _ city will host the eurovision song contest 2023?— city will host the eurovision song contest 2023? �* ., ., contest 2023? building the drama, i want to ri- contest 2023? building the drama, i want to rip it — contest 2023? building the drama, i want to rip it open. _ contest 2023? building the drama, i want to rip it open. the _ contest 2023? building the drama, i want to rip it open. the city - contest 2023? building the drama, i want to rip it open. the city that - want to rip it open. the city that will host the 67th eurovision song contest in 2023 is... liverpool! congratulations. cheering and applause. congratulations to liverpool, let's io congratulations to liverpool, let's go to _ congratulations to liverpool, let's go to kevin to see how the news is going _ go to kevin to see how the news is going down— go to kevin to see how the news is going down there. it is go to kevin to see how the news is going down t

. _ chance to have eurovision in liverpool, and now because it is in liverpool. — liverpool, and noww because it is in liverpool, it is very nice mix between _ liverpool, it is very nice mix between the uk and ukraine. i feel here very— between the uk and ukraine. i feel here very warm welcome, very hospitable. like in my home city, because — hospitable. like in my home city, because my— hospitable. like in my home city, because my home city has the river like this _ because my home city has the river like this. ., ., , . because my home city has the river like this. . ., , . ., ., because my home city has the river like this. . .,, . ., ., _, like this. fantastic. you have come as well. like this. fantastic. you have come as well- how _ like this. fantastic. you have come as well. how excited _ like this. fantastic. you have come as well. how excited are _ like this. fantastic. you have come as well. how excited are you? - like this. fantastic. you have comej as well. how excited are you? very excited, i love _ as well. how excited are you? very excited, i love ukraine. _ as well. h

all: welcome to liverpool! to the grand final, and in the city centre, the length of the queue into the official merchandise shop had passed the hour mark. what are you waiting for? socks! what kind of socks? ukrainian, liverpool. they need to match my turin 2022 socks. need socks. liverpool is seriously busy, already surpassing its target for visitor numbers. i think it's going to be a lot more than 100,000. 100,000 was the aim. that was the aim — smashed it. it's been full of the mostjoy and gladness and compassion that only liverpool could show the world, and i'm so proud of the city and so proud of everyone that has taken part in this incredible, incredible event. music: stefania by kalush 0rchestra. and this afternoon, this eurovision dance class was part of a programme to make sure that as many children as possible feel involved, with the ukrainian ambassador paying a visit. as it was promised, liverpool did it the ukrainian way. we were joking before that we were not sure whether we would be able to do i

liverpool. it is up in europe for. liverpool. it is an absolute _ up in europe for. liverpool.is an absolute the _ up in europe for. liverpool. it 3 an absolute the exciting buzzing feeling been here in liverpool. it is a city that is well and truly ready for one of the biggest if not the biggest regrets music condition in the world. millions of viewers around the world are expected to tune into that grand final on saturday. this is a difference because this time this eurovision is hosted in a country that didn't went last year. it was one by ukraine but because of the war with russia, the uk agreed to hosted and liverpool won that honour. you can see the sign post into your crane all over the city. there are ukrainian flags everywhere. the colours blue and yellow together with the union flag. it is a sight to behold. all the, behind me in the sanborn, there's been music their knowledge and various entries and contestants for the eurovision will been playing to a crowd here. the crowd is getting bigger and bigger as ours get closer and closer to that live semifinal which was te

has _ liverpool. we can showcase what liverpool is about. has it - liverpool.l is about. has it already | liverpool is about. has it already lifted people's spirits? definitely. people like joel are lifted people's spirits? definitely. people likejoel are seeking out ways to get involved. you people like joel are seeking out ways to get involved.— people like joel are seeking out ways to get involved. you can send our cv ways to get involved. you can send your cv today _ ways to get involved. you can send your cv today to — ways to get involved. you can send your cv today to this _ ways to get involved. you can send your cv today to this e-mail - ways to get involved. you can send. your cv today to this e-mail address your cv today to this e—mail address and poach— your cv today to this e—mail address and poach the subject heading eurovision... 35st and poach the sub'ect heading eurovision. . .h and poach the sub'ect heading eurovision... �* , ,, eurovision. .. at these pop-up shops t in: to eurovision. .. at these pop-up shops trying to recruit _ eurovision. .

i live in liverpool.— i live in liverpool. how do you feel about the show _ i live in liverpool.t the show in liverpool has i i live in liverpool. how do you feel| about the show in liverpool has put on? it about the show in liverpool has put on? . , about the show in liverpool has put on? , about the show in liverpool has put on? ., , , ., ., ., , . about the show in liverpool has put on? ., ., ., ,. ., on? it has been amazing and such an atmosphere — on? it has been amazing and such an atmosphere in _ on? it has been amazing and such an atmosphere in the _ on? it has been amazing and such an atmosphere in the city. _ on? it has been amazing and such an atmosphere in the city. so _ on? it has been amazing and such an atmosphere in the city. so great. i i atmosphere in the city. so great. i see ou atmosphere in the city. so great. i see you have _ atmosphere in the city. so great. i see you have a _ atmosphere in the city. so great. i see you have a ukraine _ atmosphere in the city. so great. i see you have a ukraine flag i atmosphere in the city. so great. i see you have a ukrai

�* , ., . , , liverpool? it's an incredible help and act of _ liverpool?elp and act of kindness since - liverpool? it's an incredible help and act of kindness since we - liverpool? it's an incredible help and act of kindness since we are | and act of kindness since we are here for a reason and again, we cannot hold it in our country for obvious reasons. so, we are very grateful to liverpool who done an amazing, amazing job. they've hailed planning events, a festival that is been going on for about one month. social projects that have been happening as well. late social projects that have been happening as well.— social projects that have been happening as well. we will speak briefl to happening as well. we will speak briefly to italia, _ happening as well. we will speak briefly to italia, the _ happening as well. we will speak. briefly to italia, the choreographer here. when did you move to the uk underwearfrom? i’ge here. when did you move to the uk underwear from?— underwear from? i've been here -- and where — underwear from? i've been here -- and where

we wanted to be in liverpool-— be in liverpool. you would have got here anyway- _ be in liverpool. — be in liverpool. you would have got here anyway. you are _ be in liverpool. you would have got here anyway. you are planning - be in liverpool. you would have got here anyway. you are planning to l be in liverpool. you would have got i here anyway. you are planning to get the train. what did you do? abs, here anyway. you are planning to get the train. what did you do?— the train. what did you do? a seven hour cariourney. — the train. what did you do? a seven hour carjourney, but _ the train. what did you do? a seven hour carjourney, but we _ the train. what did you do? a seven hour carjourney, but we watch - the train. what did you do? a seven hour carjourney, but we watch the l hour carjourney, but we watch the semifinal _ hour carjourney, but we watch the semifinal last night. _ hour carjourney, but we watch the semifinal last night. was - hour carjourney, but we watch the semifinal last night.— semifinal last night. was it worth it? yes. semifinal last night. was it worth it? yes

liverpool is something separate from the united kind. it is known that united kind is very active in supporting ukraine financially and militarily. morally in liverpool, this is the attitude of all small states called liverpool as part of the uk . to what extent does this support correspond to the all-british support for ukraine? to a certain extent this is true, but let's look at the geographical location of liverpool, it is a port on practically the irish sea , millions and millions of irish emigrants back in the days when ireland was, let's say frankly, a colony of britain, and already after independence, the irish were in liverpool , let's remember the great, very controversial controversial the song kolo mccartney give island back to the irish give ireland to the irish paul mccartney comes from liverpool we see let's say this irish flavor of this british city this is exactly what you were talking about, and in terms of support, of course, here liverpool is no different from the rest of the united kingdom, even more today, liverpool

all: welcome to liverpool!e grand final — and in the city centre, the length of the queue into the official merchandise shop had passed the hour mark. what are you waiting for? socks! what kind of socks? ukrainian, liverpool. they need to match my turin 2022 socks, need socks. liverpool is seriously busy, already surpassing its target for visitor numbers. i think it's going to be a lot more than 100,000. 100,000 was the aim. that was the aim — smashed it. it's just been full of the most joy and loudness and compassion that only liverpool could show the world, and i'm so proud of the city and so proud of everyone that has taken part in this incredible, incredible event. and this afternoon, this eurovision dance class was part of a programme to make sure that as many children as possible feel involved, with the ukrainian ambassador paying a visit. as it was promised, liverpool done it the ukrainian way. we were joking before that we were not sure whether we would be able to do it this ukrainian way in ukraine! so

liverpool! congratulations.ing and applause congratulations to liverpool, let's go to kevin to see how the news is going down there. it is incredible, isn't it! my goodness, what a feeling, i what a feeling, what a feeling. live from liverpool is the handover ceremony and the official allocation draw of the 67th eurovision song contest. those preparations got under way and at the start of 2023, the host city took the reins. cheering and applause there it is. the eurovision is officially in liverpool. i am really proud to be able to host eurovision for liverpool, but especially proud to do it on behalf of ukraine. liverpudlian fans got ready to host, but not all locals got the memo. the eurovision song contest is coming here. is it? i didn't know, sorry. so this is news to you? yes. breaking news. prepare yourself. i can't smile because i have had too much botox. - we have a massive fan base for the eurovision song contest in the united kingdom. it rates the normally on the bbc. it rates the phenomenally on the b

it is also here in liverpool.ell, in principle, we can say that at the eurovision song contest itself, e- there are several such, as they are called, anti-war songs, so you i talked with a participant from switzerland who sings i don't want to be a soldier, but he calls it a war here, it's such a difficult question. when they condemn the war here , they oppose the war here for peace, but for some reason , peace simply and simply, not calling the war russia , not collecting anything and you spoke with croatian musicians, musicians with a band that sings a song called "mom bought a tractor" and then he sings about a bad, evil psychopath well , i wanted to ask him that and who is he he actually means who is this, so what kind of image is this? i asked the soloist several times and he didn't answer. he said that it was such a collected uh, it was such a collected image that it was generally about such human stupidity, but without any specifics. well, then he very sincerely told me that i can't say about it at eurovisi

why do that liverpool is the best house? you bruise it is. liverpool is a city of — house? it is. liverpool is a city of music -- _ house? you bruise it is. liverpool is a city of music -- we _ house? you bruise it is. liverpool is a city of music -- we have i house? you bruise it is. liverpool is a city of music -- we have so i is a city of music —— we have so many and many things in places for people to go to but for most of all, we have heart and when we went to that bidding process, we will want to be able to say that we had the most heart. from the very beginning we said this is the further —— is for ukraine and i hope we have pull that off. and i hope i have done my job but certainly, the heart was there, the ambition was there and it came through the campaign. i spoke to a bi uk came through the campaign. i spoke to a big uk fan _ came through the campaign. i spoke to a big uk fan club _ came through the campaign. i spoke to a big uk fan club and _ came through the campaign. i spoke to a big uk fan club and of all - came through the campaign. i spoke to a big uk fan

david sillito, bbc news, liverpool.gers crossed for good weather for liverpool. exactly, a week—long party and let's start with the forecast for the week and it will not be getting nil points this week because a lot of dry and bright weather, warming up towards the weekend but one or two showers possible particular on wednesday and thursday. elsewhere across the uk, showers is the story the next few days could watch out for the big clouds that could follow some silly moments and some showers could be heavy and thundery, some in northern ireland and south—west got with lively thunderstorms. —— some sunny moments. the thundery showers get the rain to northern england late in the night. most people are dried by the end of the night, central and western areas in particular and occult stop tomorrow, 7-13 -- a particular and occult stop tomorrow, 7—13 —— a cold start. east anglia and the south—east, some rain early on, it will brighten up before showers get going later. showers in the southern scotland and northern england in

liverpool have stepped _ think as a host city, liverpool have stepped up — think as a host city, liverpooli have been to have done... i think this is my 12- some countries i have been to have done... i think this is my 12 one, i done... i think this is my 12 one, sometimes — done... i think this is my 12 one, sometimes you _ done... i think this is my 12 one, sometimes you go _ done... i think this is my 12 one, sometimes you go there - done... i think this is my 12 one, sometimes you go there and - done... i think this is my 12 one, - sometimes you go there and outside of the _ sometimes you go there and outside of the arena — sometimes you go there and outside of the arena you _ sometimes you go there and outside of the arena you are _ sometimes you go there and outside of the arena you are absolutely - sometimes you go there and outside of the arena you are absolutely no i of the arena you are absolutely no idea it's _ of the arena you are absolutely no idea it's even _ of the arena you are absolutely no idea it's even happening. - of the arena you are absolutely no idea it's even happe

i think liverpool has just got it liverpool came?t in the back. there is— i think liverpool hasjust got it in the back. there is a _ i think liverpool hasjust got it in the back. there is a great- the back. there is a great atmosphere. _ the back. there is a great atmosphere. if— the back. there is a great atmosphere. if only- the back. there is a great atmosphere. if only we i the back. there is a great- atmosphere. if only we could just stop work. — atmosphere. if only we could just stop work, come _ atmosphere. if only we could just stop work, come down _ atmosphere. if only we could just stop work, come down with - atmosphere. if only we could just stop work, come down with the i stop work, come down with the families — stop work, come down with the families. loads _ stop work, come down with the families. loads of— stop work, come down with the families. loads of kids- stop work, come down with the families. loads of kids here, i stop work, come down with the families. loads of kids here, it| stop work, come down with the i fami

how does liverpool i is my tenth. how does liverpool com are is my tenth.s liverpool compare to all the _ is my tenth. how does liverpool compare to all the others? - is my tenth. how does liverpool compare to all the others? of i is my tenth. how does liverpool - compare to all the others? of course i'm biased because _ compare to all the others? of course i'm biased because we _ compare to all the others? of course i'm biased because we have - compare to all the others? of course i'm biased because we have been - i'm biased because we have been involved — i'm biased because we have been involved in— i'm biased because we have been involved in some of the organisation but i've _ involved in some of the organisation but i've never known a city get behind — but i've never known a city get behind the eurovision like liverpool has. behind the eurovision like liverpool has it— behind the eurovision like liverpool has it has— behind the eurovision like liverpool has. it has been amazing, everywhere you look— has. it has been amazing, everywhere you look every sh

by the way, we are now here near the liverpool arena, where all these shows are taking place . what semi-finals are here. this is where the scale of eurovision in liverpool is felt. hundreds of journalists came here to cover this song contest, and in the center of the city, in the center of liverpool, there is a crowd of fans. they have been waiting for this day for a whole year and now they are here to sit down at the eurovision song contest they shout ukraine and liverpool is covered in blue and yellow flags because this is eurovision on behalf of ukraine, which is held by britain and they predict that 160 million people will watch the broadcast of the final. just imagine how many auditoriums there are and we saw the scope of this show during the first and second semi-finals, but what what happens behind the scenes , how this competition is organized. and isn't it scary for the ukrainian host yulia sanini, who hosts this competition , isn't it scary for her to be on that stage? this is the heart of many countries. this is the heart of the eurovision song contest. the stage of

hello, liverpool!to liverpool. the dream has literally come true. it's just amazing. it's so fantastic. and you don't change. you must remember sonia from the 80s? of course i do. we are very proud of this young lady in liverpool. love you. see you, sonia. have a great eurovision contest. it had to be liverpool, didn't it? you know, the music heritage that has come out of liverpool is amazing. hello, everyone, welcome on board. we have got a special guest on today. pop legend sonia. is everyone excited for eurovision? all: yes! it's amazing. and everyone wants to come to the city to look at the heritage and stuff and the music culture. it had to be liverpool. if anybody asked me was a pop star was, i would say sonia. i'm going to actually be performing on the night. amazing. that will be fantastic. oh, look, john lennon's house. there you go, let's do it. you can't actually see the penny lane street sign, so you might want to... it's just you three by a wall! come on, guys, back on the bus. where's the

david sillito, bbc news, liverpool.een hosting this contest — because it won last year. but instead it's liverpool who has that honour and the city has made sure to celebrate all things ukrainian ...and many ukrainians have travelled here from all over the country. joining me now is 0lha and her daughter, solomiia. they arrived in uk from ukraine a year ago after a missile struck near their home in kyiv. they have travelled to liverpool to see the eurovision final rehearsal later today. . .. thank you for this possibility to share our emotion. we thank you for this possibility to share our emotion.— thank you for this possibility to share our emotion. we now stay in wales in quite _ share our emotion. we now stay in wales in quite a _ share our emotion. we now stay in wales in quite a rural— share our emotion. we now stay in wales in quite a rural place - share our emotion. we now stay in wales in quite a rural place so - share our emotion. we now stay in wales in quite a rural place so it'sl wales in quite a rural plac

well, i think they've chosen to go to liverpool.likely to be excited, but that wasn't news and it was the the lead item at 7:00, i think it was about 20 minutes. that is going above and beyond. and i think the statement highlights it, saying it's important for ukraine, eurovision and the bbc. i'm, ok, i could have gone elsewhere for the news, but i'm used to getting impartial bbc coverage on bbc news channel. absolutely. thank you, deborah. mark, what about your thoughts on the bbc response? again, with the situation in ukraine and obviously the uk supporting ukraine and hosting the events of the competition and within the united kingdom was an opportunity, as i've already highlighted, to showcase what liverpool has got to offer to increase its economic output in terms of tourism and things of that nature. but in essence, i think i can't recall a year when the eurovision song contest has taken so much front and centre out of the news topics of the day and have suggested before created a real situation where there's been a news black

liverpool...e it. claire, i better let you carry _ it and we love it. claire, i better let you carry on _ it and we love it. claire, i better let you carry on the _ it and we love it. claire, i better let you carry on the cooking i it and we love it. claire, i better- let you carry on the cooking because there are a lot of hungry people waiting for lunch. i will be there as i have a place of the table. and speak to someone in charge of the music and dancing for today. a very nicejob indeed. music and dancing for today. a very nice job indeed.— nice job indeed. christina, how are ou? i nice job indeed. christina, how are you? i am — nice job indeed. christina, how are you? i am great- _ nice job indeed. christina, how are you? i am great. tell— nice job indeed. christina, how are you? i am great. tell me - nice job indeed. christina, how are you? i am great. tell me about i you? i am great. tell me about thins you? i am great. tell me about things you _ you? i am great. tell me about things you hav

no, it's for liverpool as well. i think i it's for liverpool as well.uch an honour. i what is that feel like? it justi feels like such an honour. to what is that feel like? it just i feels like such an honour. to see that people are genuinely enjoying it and it is resonating with people. it brings me a lot ofjoy. but it and it is resonating with people. it brings me a lot of joy.— it brings me a lot of 'oy. but after this, it is down i it brings me a lot of 'oy. but after this, it is down to i it brings me a lot of joy. but after this, it is down to business. i it brings me a lot of joy. but after this, it is down to business. and i this, it is down to business. and the countdown to saturday. david sillito, bbc news, liverpool. and now here to tell us all about the concert is one of the hosts, aj odudu. what was that like? it looked like you were on some kind of foreign holiday it was so sunny and warm. good morning. you know what, it was tropical. liverpool was giving costa del sol vibes. it was amazing. honestly, that concert was just brilliant. hosti

all: we love liverpool!estion — why are scousers such good entertainers? there's a long line of musicians, actors and comedians with deep connections to the city. i'm back from london! but new times mean new opportunities to entertain... i'm only at the eurovision, aren't i?! ..like this one—man viral sensation. it's scott and rylan! he calls himself the queen of scotty road and he's as close to a professional scouser as you can get. 0h, hi. how are you? nice to meet you. this city is known for entertainers, big personalities. where does that come from? it's just the capital of entertainment. the beatles, cilla black, gerry and the pacemakers — you can go on and on and on. i'm proud to be a scouser. i'm proud to come from liverpool. i'm just so proud. let's just go and have a little look, eh? come on. oh, it's all right. let's have a little look. come on. as you can see, it's just the place to be. all right. well, this is impromptu. come on. let's go to the next one. now, i'm an american and i've got to tell

hannah millar, bbc news, liverpool.and anna holligan, have transformed an electric cargo bicycle into a mobile office and studio. it's called the bike bureau, and enables them to do solo—operated, and solar powered, live reports across tv, digital and radio platforms. the aim is to elevate our mobile journalism from the field, and help the bbc on itsjourney to reach net zero. let's get more now from anna holligan. welcome to the hague. this has been a passion project for years. it is kind of like the swiss army knife of mobile broadcasting. already using a cargo bike has been a game changer for me, taking me to the heart breaking news, depositing my daughter at school and being live on airy few minutes later. but it has the potential to do even more and we can finally reveal the results. introducing the bike bureau. it contains all the kits we need for newsgathering, interviews and to provide television and radio lives, connecting via our phones, and transmitting around the world. fiur transmitting around the world. oi"

david sillito, bbc news, liverpool.fanzone in liverpool. i'm right next to it, it is to my left, but we have this beautiful view of at the mercy here with the ferry just crossing. view of at the mercy here with the ferryjust crossing. the fans are actually starting to gather around and the city has really come alive. you can feel the energy in the air ahead of tonight's final competition. as you can probably see there is a few people in the background, lots of people dressing in colour and glitter. the atmosphere is electric and the city has been at its absolute finest. you get a real sense of it here, the energy and excitement because the last time the uk hosted was in 1998 after katrina and the waves are one in 97. it is a chance for the uk to put its best foot forward and liverpool certainly has not disappointed. it has been an incredible week and at the culmination of all those efforts will come of course, be in the grand final this evening. all eyes will be on which country is going to win. as you said, we heard in

all eyes on one city, the glorious liverpool. and _ glorious liverpool.us liverpool. and it really is looking glorious today, and let us not forget, of course, the uk is hosting eurovision on behalf of ukraine, and the city of liverpool has done a really good job of continually reminding us of that. the colours of the ukrainian flag really are here across the city. we will have much more on the 6pm news, and of course, you can watch the song contest final tomorrow night on bbc one at 8pm. back now to ben in the studio. jane, many thanks indeed. lovely weather there in liverpool. let's take a look at the forecast for the whole country. here's tomasz schafernaker. how does it look for eurovision? it is looking really good. i'm pleased to say, for once it is not going to rain. sunny skies on saturday. saturday will be the best day of the weekend, so mother nature has it right. come sunday, the rain will reach liverpool. so we just about get away with it. but it will be a nice day. back to the here and now. right now, we have high pressure building across sco

destination in liverpool.ilway is financially unsustainable and ways of working have to change to enable pay rises. unions point out the increases which have been offered are way below inflation and argue jobs and working conditions are being attacked. train drivers union islip has rejected pay raises of a% two years in a row depend on changes like committing to sunday working. drivers walk—out started lastjuly, the union leader saying that they are in it for the long haul. saying that they are in it for the long haul-— saying that they are in it for the lone haul. ., . , , , , long haul. unfortunately my members think we should _ long haul. unfortunately my members think we should go _ long haul. unfortunately my members think we should go harder— long haul. unfortunately my members think we should go harder and - long haul. unfortunately my members think we should go harder and faster l think we should go harder and faster after the 16 months or so of trying to negotiate in a reasonable way after two bills o

doing what liverpool does best.hat's always up for a party. the karaoke has popped up at this jewellers, where inside, they're working on musically—themed jewellery. that's a guitar? that's a guitar, yeah. it's a treble clef. we've got some cufflinks in the shape of a guitar, which, you know, we hope to do really well throughout the eurovision. i think it's a huge opportunity. 0bviously we've got thousands of people coming to liverpool. we can showcase what liverpool is about. does it feel like it has already lifted people's spirits? oh, yeah, definitely, yeah. hi, i'm wondering if you have any jobs available for eurovision? and people likejoel are seeking out ways to get involved. if you can send your cv today to this e—mail address, - and put your subject heading 'eurovision'... _ at these pop—up shops trying to recruit people to work in hotels, attractions, logistics, to name but a few, there is hope that even the temporaryjobs created by eurovision could be life changing for some. people might try something that

liverpool is hosting this years event — liverpool is hosting this years event on _ liverpool is hostingally saw ukraine entered the arena a couple of minutes— entered the arena a couple of minutes ago. for the contestants themselves, i was backstage earlier speaking _ themselves, i was backstage earlier speaking with the act from slovenia, greece, _ speaking with the act from slovenia, greece, australia and belgium and they all— greece, australia and belgium and they all say that it accepts them that it _ they all say that it accepts them that it is — they all say that it accepts them that it is a — they all say that it accepts them that it is a competition because all of the _ that it is a competition because all of the disciplines have become friends — of the disciplines have become friends it— of the disciplines have become friends. it did us the name that it is a song — friends. it did us the name that it is a song contest with him in less than _ is a song contest with him in less than an hour— is a song contest with him in less than an hourthe is a song contest with him in less tha

liverpool is very i part of our bed. liverpool is very party and has a massive compassion.rything is a mash up of scouse and ukrainian. walking around the ci , i and ukrainian. walking around the city. i have — and ukrainian. walking around the city, i have been _ and ukrainian. walking around the city, i have been seeing _ and ukrainian. walking around the city, i have been seeing pubs- and ukrainian. walking around the city, i have been seeing pubs and| city, i have been seeing pubs and restaurants advertising that you can watch your vision there, holding viewing parties. how important is this for the city and what you hope the legacy of that might be? it’s the legacy of that might be? it's crackers, the legacy of that might be? it�*s crackers, everywhere you go someone is doing something for eurovision. we are milking it for everything we have got and the legacy of this for the city will be really brilliant relationships between us and ukraine. they will grow post eurovision but also tourism, tourists who come here and see this incredible place will come back. iloathe in

those guys look beautiful over liverpool. welcome to the museum of liverpool. . we have been enjoying this. yes, welcome to the wonderful city of liverpool. it has been a pretty exciting time. there has been some disappointment in celebration. we have had some winners and losers after the first semifinal which took place last night. we had big favourites like finland, sweden, norway go through to the grand final on saturday but other countries like ireland and croatia were left disappointed after all their hard work here at eurovision song contest. they haven't made it through. there was another semifinal due to take place on thursday. that is tomorrow. that will then decide a further 10 countries to go through to the grand final on saturday and they will be joined by the five countries who were always there during the grand final. they are spain, italy, germany, the uk and france and of course most importantly of all ukraine because they were the winning nation from 2022. the event couldn't be hosted there. instead it has come here to liverpool but the connectio

the interval act, a celebration of liverpool. # i celebration of liverpool. # and celebration of liverpoolu'll never walk celebration of liverpool. 32?" and you'll never walk alone... # and you will never walk alone! it is not often the show has to pause to wipe away the tears. and there were a few tears from the winner at the end of the evening. loreen, a second eurovision trophy. a great night for sweden but also you can see that finland here is parting into the night however there was one definite uk winner on the evening, liverpool. david sillito, bbc news. that looks like such a spectacular night! the musical spectacular was watched by an estimated global tv audience of 180 million. people who weren't lucky enough to get a ticket to the arena in liverpool packed into the open—air fanzone on the city's waterfront. our entertainment correspondent colin paterson spent the evening with them. this was a eurovision party for the ages! this was a eurovision party for the aces! . 3, 3, this was a eurovision party for the ages!_ uk - this was a eurovision party for| the ages!_ uk fans the ages

liverpool is lively without _ been to meet some of them.vely without eurovision _ been to meet some of them. liverpool is lively without eurovision so - been to meet some of them. liverpool is lively without eurovision so you - is lively without eurovision so you can imagine what it is like with. it is like on steroids.— is like on steroids. they are not wron. is like on steroids. they are not wrong- the _ is like on steroids. they are not wrong- the city _ is like on steroids. they are not wrong. the city is _ is like on steroids. they are not wrong. the city is abuzz - is like on steroids. they are not wrong. the city is abuzz with i wrong. the city is abuzz with eurovision's gloriously diverse carnival. take croatia. you are not really very eurovision, are you? know, we are not.— really very eurovision, are you? know, we are not. eurovision uc has a no politics — know, we are not. eurovision uc has a no politics rule _ know, we are not. eurovision uc has a no politics rule so _ know, we are not. eurovision uc has a no politics rule so th

i am here to congratulate liverpool. _ starr. i am here to congratulate liverpool, and _ starr.nd to give you i starr. i am here to congratulate liverpool, and to give you a i starr. i am here to congratulate liverpool, and to give you a big | liverpool, and to give you a big piece _ liverpool, and to give you a big piece of— liverpool, and to give you a big piece of love on this big night. 0h, piece of love on this big night. oh, m god. piece of love on this big night. oh, my god- peace _ piece of love on this big night. oi, my god. peace and piece of love on this big night. <1>“i, my god. peace and love. 0h, piece of love on this big night. <1>“i, my god. peace and love. oh, my gosh. thank you. my god. peace and love. oh, my gosh. thank ou. ~ �* ., ., my god. peace and love. oh, my gosh. thank ou. . �* ., ., . thank you. wasn't that great? we will be back _ thank you. wasn't that great? we will be back to _ thank you. wasn't that great? we will be back to liverpool. - let's go to space now, where a team of astronomers has captured the largest cosmic explosion ever witnessed. t

people of liverpool, the lovely people liverpool are people of liverpool. . so there are a lot of dispute. so there are a lot of preconditions on it that we just cannot accept. but the fact is that government that this government is determined keep dispute determined to keep this dispute going because as they've got issues in in health care and with the nurses and the doctors, with the nurses and the doctors, with the nurses and the doctors, with the teachers , and they're with the teachers, and they're trying clamp down on working trying to clamp down on working people's pay. so that they can transfer that wealth to the rich people society, where people of this society, where dividends and profits up. dividends and profits are up. the stock exchange is up. the economy is growing, but they want do that on the basis of want to do that on the basis of low and we're not prepared want to do that on the basis of lotacceptand we're not prepared want to do that on the basis of lotaccept that.'e're not prepared want to do that on the basis of lotaccept that. we not

the opening ceremony kicks off in liverpool. live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news — it's newsday. hello and welcome to the programme. we begin in southern india where authorities say at least 21 people died when a tourist boat capsized in the state of kerala. they said the double decker boat overturned in the middle of a river trapping many people. five of the dead are reportedly children. eyewitnesses said there were nearly 50 people on board. some of those rescued are said to be in a critical condition. several are still missing and the casualty figure could increase. it's not immediately clear what caused the boat to overturn. our south asia editor anbarasan ethirajan has been monitoring events from london. according to eyewitnesses, dozens of tourists were returning to the town in the southern indian state of kerala and they were crossing the river meets the arabian sea and it is a mangrove forest area. and according to some of these eyewitnesses the boat, it is a double—decker boat, there were a lot of people

and liverpool has also felt _ say eurovision! and liverpool has also felt a _ say eurovision!f . say eurovision! and liverpool has also felt a benefit, half a | has also felt a benefit, half a million people came to the city centre during eurovision. so man centre during eurovision. sr many people from abroad said they didn't realise how great a city it is, how friendly. the eo - le city it is, how friendly. the people looking _ city it is, how friendly. the people looking at - city it is, how friendly. the people looking at this around the world, they've seen this city in all its glory doing something it does its best. when they are thinking to go to an event here, study here, kids growing up here thinking, i can do that... that's why you do things like this. liverpool plans to let the legacy of eurovision ring out. stay with us here on bbc news. we will have more on the elections in turkey and thailand in the next few hours. see you very soon. hello. the weather over the weekend varied quite a bit from day to day, sunnier moments, cloudier moments, but we still managed to re

a beautiful day for cardiff, for liverpool, for belfast and for glasgow.ow, the forecast for sunday shows a weather front approaching so that high pressure over us isn't going to last for very long. here's the weather front as it makes its journey into north—western parts of the uk on sunday and then eventually crossing the irish sea, moving into the lake district, reaching liverpool and also the western fringes of wales as well as south—western england. so here, cooler, cloudier with rain at times the warmth and the sunshine will contract towards the east and the south. and in london we could see highs up to about 22 degrees celsius on sunday, but the warmth isn't going to last for very long. you can see the orange colours get replaced by yeah, these cooler conditions from the north and that billow. these cooler conditions from the north and that blue. so things are going to cool off as we head into next week. in fact, you can see that warm weekend there sunday in cardiff and london. and after that it turns cooler with temperatures in the mid—teens. but g

the balance is liverpool music. the balance is liverpool music and ukrainian music.think, if you didn�*t know it was a liverpool, the first ten minutes could have been a ukrainian production. speaking to one of the people involved in the ukrainian broadcaster, head of ukrainian eurovision, she said it has been an amazing collaboration with the bbc. they have been working together to deliver the best show on planet earth. ., .., deliver the best show on planet earth. ., _, i. ., deliver the best show on planet earth. ., ., ., ., earth. how come you are not able to dance to an — earth. how come you are not able to dance to an eurovision _ earth. how come you are not able to dance to an eurovision classic- dance to an eurovision classic playing in the background? abba playing in the background? abba playing in the background. that is better. i can see the countdown clock in the background. what is it, a1 minutes? clock in the background. what is it, 41 minutes?— 41 minutes? that countdown is sli . htl 41 minutes? that countdown is slightly before _ 41 minutes? that coun

liverpool, the mersey ferry.nstead, i wrote a song about how you did me wrong # i could have cried at home...# it's absolutely amazing. it's buzzing in liverpool. it'sjust landed. # and we all sing along...# and it's cooking, isn't it? and liverpool is lively without eurovision, so you can imagine what it's like with. it's like on steroids. # instead i wrote a song...# they're not wrong. the city is abuzz with eurovision's gloriously diverse carnival. take croatia. i mean, you're not really very eurovision, are you? no, we're not. yeah, that's an understatement. so why i decided to take them out for a drink to a liverpool landmark is anyone's guess. you have a reputation for being outrageous. some say that. it's a matter of opinion. are you going to behave yourselves on the night? yes, we will. i would call that a wry smile. and their song? so that first line is "mother bought me a tractor." yeah. mother bought me a tractor? yeah. let's just say it's a song open to interpretation. eurovision, you see, has a no po

rehearsals are well underway in liverpool for the eurovision song contest.ompetition on tuesday. and this year�*s eurovision entrants have been taking part in a welcome ceremony at st george�*s hall in liverpool. this is loreen, from sweden arriving to the red carpet — which is actually turquoise for sponsorship reasons. loreen won in 2012 and she�*s back in the competition as one of the favourites with her song �*tattoo�*. but, of course, anything can happen and according to the bookies, other acts like france, spain or finland are also tipped to do well. this is the finnish singer kariija. a very charismatic performer. his song �*cha cha cha�* has been going down a storm with live audiences. 0ur eurovision reporter daniel rosney has been following eurovision�*s opening ceremony from liverpool. this is the official opening ceremony between slovenia and cyprus to my left, all 37 acts from the countries participating in the have now arrived in liverpool and for sponsorship reasons, it is only one of a number of events that are happening this evening in liverp

liverpool, are you ready?een of the kings # running so fast, beating the wind # nothing in this world can stop the spread of her wings # she, queen of the kings # broken her cage, threw out the keys # she will be the warrior of the north and southern seas. welcome to the glory of the turquoise carpet. this is finland, by the way. and what is the glorious, glamorous beginning of what is essentially a week of eurovision fun. douze points, douze points all round. are you having a good time? liverpool 2023. factor 30 sunshine... it's hot! and a dawning ofjust what an event this has become. this feels like, just on a totally different scale. and this was just the beginning. the city was also hosting a eurovision rave, jointly held in both liverpool and the country which should have been hosting the event this year, ukraine. # what a pushover, yeah...# and a eurovision concert featuring a reunion of some liverpool pop royalty — frankie goes to hollywood. # going home where lovers roam...# it was a musical overture t