May 7th 2024.
The Eurovision Song Contest has been a beloved event for 68 years now, and tonight, the much-anticipated competition will kick off once again. This time, the Swedish city of Malmo will play host to 36 countries vying for the coveted title. Sweden, who tied with Ireland for the most Eurovision wins after their victory in 2023, has a long history of success in the contest. It all started in 1974 with the iconic ABBA, and their wins continued in 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015, and most recently, last year with Loreen's winning song "Tattoo."
This year, the three live shows will be presented by Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman, with Petra having previously taken on the role in 2013 and 2016. While Petra is a familiar face in the Eurovision world, having hosted multiple times, she's not the record holder for most appearances as a presenter. So, who are the individuals who have graced the Eurovision stage the most times since its inception in 1956?
One of the most notable names is Katie Boyle, who has hosted the contest a total of four times between 1960 and 1974. Born in a royal palace in Florence in 1926, Katie had a successful career as an actress, writer, radio announcer, and TV personality. She first rose to fame in the 1950s, appearing in several films and working as an on-screen continuity announcer for the BBC. However, it was her hosting skills that truly made her a household name, as she presented the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960, 1963, 1968, and 1974, with the last one famously being held in Brighton.
Another familiar face in the Eurovision world is Petra Mede, who has hosted the contest twice, in 2013 and 2016. Born and raised in Sweden, Petra initially pursued a career as a dancer but turned to comedy after a back injury ended her dance career. She then became a familiar face on Swedish TV and gained worldwide recognition for her hosting skills at the Eurovision Song Contest. Her first solo hosting gig in 2013 was highly praised, and she returned in 2016 alongside the previous year's winner, Måns Zelmerlöw.
Joining Petra as a co-host this year is Swedish-born actress Malin Åkerman. With her successful career in Hollywood, starring in films such as "The Heartbreak Kid" and "27 Dresses," Malin is no stranger to the spotlight. When asked about her feelings on hosting Eurovision, Malin expressed her excitement and a bit of nerves, but also her joy at being able to co-host with the hilarious Petra.
The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast on the BBC, with the first semi-final airing on Tuesday at 8 pm. So, who will join the ranks of Katie Boyle and Petra Mede as the most frequent Eurovision presenters? Only time will tell. Do you have a story about Eurovision? We'd love to hear it! Get in touch with our entertainment team by emailing us, calling our hotline, or visiting our Submit Stuff page. We can't wait to hear from you!
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