Graham takes Eurovision reins from Wogan

5 December 2008 08:49am

Graham Norton will replace Sir Terry Wogan as commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC said.

Fellow Irishman Graham will take the reins in the 2009 contest, to be hosted in Moscow.

Sir Terry, 70, had cast doubt on whether he'd be involved in covering the event again at this year's contest. He said it was "no longer a music contest" and that prospects for Western European participants were "poor".

The show has been dogged by accusations of bloc voting, which was blamed by some for leaving Britain's 2008 contestant, Andy Abraham, with only 14 points.

Sir Terry, who's spent more than three decades guiding viewers through the contest, said he'd be "sad to leave it all behind".

He said: "I've had 35 wonderful years commentating on the Eurovision for radio and television. From my first, in a small music-hall in Dublin, to my last, in the huge arena in Belgrade, it has been nothing but laughter and fun.

"The silly songs, the spectacle, the grandiose foolishness of it all. Let's hope that between (Graham) and the musical brilliance of Lloyd Webber, Royaume Uni will gather its proper share of 'Douze Points' and bring the Grand Prix home to where it belongs."

Graham, a Eurovision fan, described it as "a huge honour". He said: "Sir Terry is nothing less than legend and is an impossible act to follow, but somebody must and I just couldn't say no."

Graham will host Your Country Needs You in the New Year - the British public's chance to choose the act that will perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's specially composed song in Moscow 2009.

© The Press Association