One of the world’s most recognizable pop icons has publicly expressed interest in joining the next Eurovision Song Contest, slated to take place in the United Kingdom. Robbie Williams revealed in an interview with RTVE a keen desire to appear at the premieres of Europe’s longest-running music competition, signaling his ongoing connection to the Eurovision audience and its spectacular live format.
Williams conveyed his enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing his lasting admiration for Eurovision. He stated that if he were invited to participate, he would give his best performance, highlighting his long-standing career milestone celebrated with a solo project titled XXV. The musician, renowned for his dynamic stage presence, reiterated his fan status and his willingness to contribute to the competition’s grand moment in the UK.
In comments that reflected a supportive view of emerging artists, Williams also praised Sam Ryder, the United Kingdom’s representative at Eurovision 2022 and runner-up with the song Spaceman. He described Ryder as possessing a compelling personality, notable charisma, a powerful voice, and a strong song—qualities that underscore the continuing appeal of the competition and its ability to elevate new talents to international audiences.
At the time of Williams’s remarks, the process of selecting the UK host city for Eurovision 2023 was underway. A number of major cities—Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield—entered the bid pool as finalists. In total, twenty British cities expressed interest in hosting the festival, but only seven advanced to the final stage, based on their demonstrated capacity and proven experience to stage an event of Eurovision’s scale and complexity.
Organizers explained that the chosen finalists will need to present detailed proposals showing how they would manage the production, logistics, and cultural representation required for Eurovision. The evaluation focuses on the ability to stage a high-profile, multi-day event with international participants, large-scale audience engagement, and the technical demands of a modern broadcast. The final decision will be made by the BBC in collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), after each city submits its refined plan for scrutiny.
A few weeks prior, the EBU announced the host city selection timeline, noting that the process would conclude in the autumn. Once a winner is declared, tickets are expected to go on sale to the public, generating excitement for fans across the region and around the world. The Eurovision event in the United Kingdom aims to honor the competition’s global following while embracing the distinctive character and culture of the host city, with the event mixing modern production values and a nod to traditional Eurovision heritage.
Although the contest is centered in the United Kingdom, the semi-finals and the grand final are designed to blend historical and cultural elements in a way that resonates with Eurovision’s broad audience. In recent discussions, there has been emphasis on reflecting the winning country’s culture through its host city’s proposals. The BBC and EBU have reiterated that the bidding cities must demonstrate how their plans will celebrate national identity, musical diversity, and inclusive storytelling while delivering a world-class broadcast experience.
As the competition approaches, fans watch closely for developments about which city will host and how the production will incorporate contemporary staging, visual design, and performance innovations. The broader Eurovision ecosystem—comprising participating nations, artists, crew, and volunteers—anticipates a show that honors both the long-standing traditions of the contest and the evolving tastes of global viewers. The next edition promises to be a milestone, inviting audiences to witness a celebration of music, unity, and artistic excellence on a stage that has helped launch dozens of careers and created lasting memories for generations of fans. [citation]