Entertainment
Councillor reveals dream for Stadium of Light to host Eurovision
Organisers of the annual song competition are in talks with the BBC to ‘potentially host’ the 2023 event… and city councillor Dominic McDonough wants to see the show come to Sunderland. He is urging city leaders to put together a bid to the BBC in order to bring the world’s biggest music contest to the city.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the competition this year and it is traditional that the winning country hosts the event the following year.
But the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has said that following a ‘full assessment and feasibility study’ it has concluded the ‘security and operational guarantees’ required to host the event cannot be fulfilled by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC while the Russian invasion continues.
The contest, which has a worldwide viewership of over 300million, has been hosted in a number of diverse locations over the years including Harrogate and even Millstreet, a town of only 1,500 people in 1
Eurovision superfan Coun McDonough said he believed Sunderland had the facilities required to host the contest and it would put the city on the map across Europe and beyond.
“Sunderland has the facilities to host, with the Stadium of Light being a perfect venue and the Beacon of Light being a perfect space to host the press centre and Euroclub,” he said.
“The amount of tourism and media interest that it would bring to the area would be a game changer. As a city we should be ambitious and this would be the ultimate prize.”
Coun McDonough, a Conservative member for St Chad’s ward, says he will be writing to city council leader and chief executive as well as to BBC executives to make the case for Sunderland, with a decision expected later this year.
Downing Street has welcomed the possibility of the UK hosting Eurovision if Ukraine cannot.A No 10 spokesman said: “If the EBU decides the competition can’t go ahead in Ukraine we would of course welcome the opportunity to work closely with Ukraine and the BBC to host it here in the UK.”
Vicky Pattison opened up on Instagram on Tuesday to reveal that she had been ‘crying in the toilets for hours’ after a press tour for her Channel 4 documentary on alcoholism left her ‘completely emotionally exhausted.
The Geordie Shore star confirmed last month that she would be releasing a documentary focusing on her father John’s battle with drink and addressing her own fears that she could follow his path, admitting that alcohol has already impacted stages of her career.
My Dad, Alcohol and Me aired on Tuesday at 10pm on Channel 4 and has already received widespread praise from viewers.
The promotional trial ahead of the documentary’s release saw Vicky appearing on shows like The One Show and This Morning, as well as in numerous magazines and newspapers.
Vicky is known for her honest social media presence, and on Tuesday posted a tearful selfie to Instagram with the following caption:
“Today got the better of me… 🥺
“I’ve spent the last month talking about things that I’ve kept bottled up for years- in the hopes that people will watch my documentary tonight and understand a little bit more about addiction and alcoholism. But I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t left me completely emotionally exhausted. Every interview I did I grew closer and closer to tears.
“I went and hid in the toilets at the BBC today and had a little cry after my chat- which I’d been threatening to do all day if I’m honest with myself 🥹”
She also shared that she hopes that the documentary is able to help even just one person feel less alone or bring one family closer together while bringing clarity and peace, and helping people understand what those struggling with addiction and those that love them have to face on a daily basis.
On the 20th and 21st of August 2022, Hardwick Festival will return, the biggest musical festival in the North East!
It’s set to be a brilliant weekend of music, perfect for all the family.
Located in the grounds of Hardwick Hall Hotel in the heart of County Durham countryside, Hardwick festival is easily accessible from Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Richmond, Northallerton, and Darlington.
There’s a great line up with Stereophonics and Jake Bugg taking on the Main Stage on Saturday and Becky Hill, The Specials, and Ella Eyre on the Sunday, plus many more. There’s also the Introducing Tent, the Tree House Arena, the Courtyard Arena and the Soul Tent.
Image credit: Instagram (@hardwickfestival)
On top of fantastic music, there’s cocktail bars, and a vast variety of food vendors, ranging from Hog Roast, Greek and Thai dishes, to freshly made donuts. There is something for everyone.
There’s also plenty to keep the kids entertained with a dedicated kid’s area and children’s programme running from 12-6pm daily. This includes circus training, children’s entertainers, fairground rides and a mobile museum.
Tickets are still available to buy. Adult day tickets are £69, young person tickets (12-18year-olds) are £35 and children (5-12year-olds) are £15.
Weekend tickets are also available with the option of camping or glamping for 3 nights. There are complimentary shower and toilet facilities, food and drink vendors and a designated cooking area.
They are also offering return coach travel across the North East making the travelling process easy and stress-free.
For more information visit the website here.
Will you be going to Hardwick Festival this summer? Follow us on Facebook and join in the conversation…
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