The Eurovision Song Contest will be held in either Glasgow or Liverpool next year. This was announced by the BBC on Tuesday.

Previously, the British cities of Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds and Sheffield had also been shortlisted. The final decision is expected to be made this fall.

Britain is stepping in as host country for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 in place of Ukraine, which won this year's competition in Turin with the Kalush Orchestra. It is already the ninth time that the ESC will take place in the UK.

For security reasons, the event cannot be celebrated in the still-contested Ukraine. Great Britain, as the runner-up, already offered to host it months ago. The Brits have often stepped in as organizers.

"It's Ukraine's party. We're just inviting them to throw it at our house," said this year's ESC runner-up Sam Ryder after the decision to host Great Britain. "We know how to party here in the UK." Despite the postponement, the contest will celebrate Ukrainian culture, history and music.

Kalush singer Oleh Psjuk made a similar statement at the time. He is sad that the show will not go up in Ukraine. But: "We hope that Eurovision 2023 will have a Ukrainian flair and celebrate our beautiful, unique culture," Psyuk said, according to the British news agency PA. He and his band would do anything to ensure that Ukraine wins in 2023 and that the ESC 2024 "can take place in a peaceful country".

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