Manchester is out of the running to host Eurovision 2023.
Today, the BBC announced a final shortlist of Glasgow and Liverpool.
Whoever wins Eurovision is usually expected to host the event the following year – but last year’s victor, Ukraine, is unable to fulfil hosting due to the ongoing war, so the second-placed UK will host instead.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won last year with 631 points over Brit Sam Ryder’s 466.
Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham were cut from the shortlist, despite many fans believing Manchester would make the top two due to its historic music culture.
When Manchester was added to the shortlist in August, city council leader Bev Craig said Manchester was “ready to put on the biggest party in the UK” and also cited the large Ukrainian population in Manchester as reason for its bid.
Fans and officials have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment:
Many also joked about the heartbreak for Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community:
Phil Harrold, the chair of the BBC’s Host City Selection Committee said: “Thanks to all seven cities across the UK who have demonstrated the enthusiasm and passion for Eurovision that exists right across the UK. We were incredibly impressed by the quality and creativity of all the city bids, in what was a highly competitive field.”
