The curtains aren't entirely closing for the competition, but for tonight we will wish you farewell for now until we come together in May.

Our super fans are already booking flights and hotels for the semi-finals and excitement is starting to build.

This page was edited by Emma Owen, Claire Heald and Andrew Humphrey and written by Gem O'Reilly, Thomas Mackintosh and Aoife Walsh.

Join us again for the first semi-final on 9 May.

After the first event in Liverpool's Eurovision party, here's a look at the UK's love affair with the competition.

We may have experienced our nul points lows, but the UK is also one of the contest's biggest supporters.

• The UK has previously hosted Eurovision eight times, external - more than any other country
• It has previously taken over hosting duties from other countries four times
• It hosted for the Netherlands in 1960, for France in 1963, for Monaco in 1972, and Luxembourg in 1974
• The UK last hosted in 1998, from Birmingham, after Katrina and the Waves won the year before
• Harrogate, Brighton, Edinburgh and London have also been host cities
• Israel was the last country that declined to host, in 1980, having also won the year before

The BBC will be covering the live shows but if you want to be there in person, check out the Eurovision, external website for more information on how to get tickets.

They're not for sale just yet, but tickets will be available for nine shows in Eurovision week:

• First semi-final: Tuesday 9 May: Live TV Show [Tuesday 9 evening]; Jury Show [Monday 8 evening]; Family Show [Tuesday 9 afternoon]
• Second semi-final: Thursday 11 May: Live TV Show [Thursday 11 evening]; Jury Show [Wednesday 10 evening]; Family Show [Thursday 11 afternoon]
• Grand Final: Saturday 13 May: Live TV Show [Saturday 13 evening]; Jury Show [Friday 12 evening]; Family Show [Saturday 13 afternoon]

We're guessing that most people tuning in to this page know exactly what to expect from the Eurovision Song Contest.

But just in case there are any newbies out there, we've pulled together some great pictures to show you the sort of thing you're in for when the competition gets going in May.

Enjoy!

Image source, Getty Images

Lordi, the monster-themed metal band from Finland have been going since 1992 but it was 2006 when they stormed to victory at Eurovision in with their song Hard Rock Hallelujah in Athens, Greece.

Image source, Getty Images

Comedian Verka Serduchka put on a ‘star’ performance with the song Dancing Lasha Tumbai Danzing alongside shimmering tin men but was pipped to post at the 2007 finals in Helsinki, Finland by the Serbian entrant Marija Šerifović.

Image source, Getty Images

UK entry Scooch took to the runway in Helsinki in 2007 too with their song Flying the Flag (For You) but they failed to take off, coming second from last in the finals.

Image source, Getty Images

In 2014 in Denmark it was more than just the glittery golden dress that caught the eye as Austrian singer and draq queen Thomas Neuwirth aka Conchita Wurst wowed the fans with the song Rise Like a Phoenix.

Image source, AFP via Getty

Give That Wolf a Banana sang the duo Subwoolfer and it seems the diet works as they managed a respectable 10th place in Turin last year.

Daniel Rosney
Eurovision reporter, BBC News

Up until this year the semi-finals had the same voting system as the grand final, in that the vote was split: 50% public vote and 50% jury vote (with the jury made up of music experts from each country).

However, this year the 20 songs which qualify from the two semi-finals will be entirely decided by a public vote. The final will still include a jury vote.

The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place in the Liverpool Arena next to the River Mersey on Saturday 13 May.

The Eurovision week will have three shows: semi-final 1 on Tuesday 9 May, semi-final 2 on Thursday 11 May and the Grand Final on the Saturday.

Image source, PA Media

Gem O'Reilly
BBC News

Eurovision 2023 marks the first year, in its nearly seven-decade history, that non-participating countries can vote.

Hugo Lopez, who was watching the draw from Washington DC, said: "It's amazing to be able to vote for the first time. Watching Eurovision from afar has been fun - don’t get me wrong - but to be able to participate and have a voice is just really fantastic!

"I can hardly wait to be a part of the song contest."

This decision to involve more countries has put more power in the hands of the voters, while expanding the global reach and electorate.

Mark said: "While it’s a small part, it’s a start. It also makes me wonder, could Eurovision’s global push have a single contest for the world in the future?"

Diana Kuryshko
BBC News Ukrainian

Eurovision season has started, and for Ukrainians there is happiness and sorrow at the same time.

“It could be Lviv if not the war,” people said on Facebook.

The blue and yellow colours of the logo for Eurovision this year are a nice reminder that it’s their event too.

“We are happy to see these colours in UK,” people said in social media posts.

Today on Ukrainian websites, alongside news from battlefields there is news about songs and about Liverpool and Eurovision’s slogan for the 2023 contest - "United by Music".

Gem O'Reilly
BBC News

Image source, Nicolaas

Eurovision fans watching across the world are commenting on the semi-final draw and what that might mean for the competition.

From Ireland being split from the UK - and therefore not able to vote for each other - to Romania and Moldova, also voting allies, being separate.

Many are reacting to Sweden, Norway and Finland being drawn together in one final with Luke from the UK saying: "Are all the Scandis in the same semi-final?!"

Matthew from Ireland added: "The scenario of Sweden, Finland and Norway being in our semi-final is considered to be a nightmare in my opinion."

The nations can traditionally be relied on to support each other.

People are also suggesting Denmark is unlucky because of the country being in the second semi-final - so short on national allies.

Others say the Czech Republic has a good chance this year. Aaran from the UK said Poland could also benefit from UK votes.

Many have concluded that semi-final one will be "super stacked" and tough competition.

The mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo handed over the Eurovision keys to Liverpool's mayor, Joanne Anderson.

The Italian city hosted the competition in 2022, after their entry, Måneskin, won it the year before.

Before the official handover, Rylan asked for Turin's advice.

Image source, PA Media

Well that felt like it was over before it had even started!

Don't worry if you're getting your head around what has just happened. We're here to help.

First up, the official keys of the Eurovision Song Contest were handed from the previous host city Turin to Liverpool .

Six countries already have a place in the final. We had a draw to find out which semi-final they get to vote in.

• Germany, Italy and France will all vote in the first semi final

• The UK, Spain and Ukraine will all cast their votes in the second semi-final

Next we found out who was in which semi-final. They are as follows:

• Serbia, Sweden, Latvia, Ireland, Moldova, Switzzerland, Norway, Israel, Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia, Finland, Malta, Azerbaijan and Czech Republic make up the first semi-final on 9 May

• Armenia, Albania, Cyprus, Australia, Romania, Austria, Denmark, Lithuania, Belgium, San Marino, Iceland, Slovenia, Greece, Georgia, Estonia and Poland will be in the second semi-final on 11 May

Daniel Rosney
Eurovision reporter, BBC News

I've got to rush backstage now to interview Rylan and AJ for a Eurovisioncast episode.

Are you subscribed yet?

You should be.

Get it on BBC Sounds now (or wherever else you get your podcasts).

Daniel Rosney
Eurovision reporter, BBC News

As well as cheers at Eurovision, there's sometimes some booing.

I've witnessed this when Greece and Cyprus gave each other 12 points during the jury results at the grand final.

The crowd don't like neighbouring countries going against the trend of the night and selecting each other.

Greece and Cyprus in the same semi-final will leave many speculating that both country's will vote for each other in their semi.

But will it be enough points? We'll have to wait to May!

Argh it's so exciting.

We can hardly handle the suspense!

We've now heard Armenia, Cyprus, Romania, Denmark, Belgium, Australia, Austria, Iceland, Greece, Estonia, Albania, Lithuania, Slovenia, Georgia, Poland and San Marino will perform in the second semi-final.

Next five performing in the first semi final - infact the final five for this section.

Croatia is first out of AJ's bowl, followed by Finland, Azerbaijan and Czech Republic.

Malta completes this side of the draw and Rylan pops up with more trivia - noting it is a country which has never actually won Eurovision.

Daniel Rosney
Eurovision reporter, BBC News

The Nordics know how to do Eurovision.

Sweden has won it six times and is one of the country's that takes its participation more seriously than some others.

It's in the same semi-final as Norway and Finland.

It means Denmark goes it alone in semi-final 2 without any of its nearby neighbours.

Image source, BBC Studios

More countries out of their envolopes as the draw continues - including Switzerland.

Rylan hits us with a bit of trivia Switzerland was the first ever Eurovision winner back in 1956.

Norway, Moldova, Netherlands and Portugal are all out for the first semi-final draw.

Israel make up this section and more trivia from Rylan who says they last won the competition when Eurovision was last in the UK.

Daniel Rosney
Eurovision reporter, BBC News

Ireland will be performing in the first semi-final which the UK doesn't get to vote in.

This could be key as it means it can't rely on its neighbour for any public votes to qualify.

Last year the UK gave Ireland its 12 points in the semi-final but 2022 representative Brooke didn't get enough from other countries to go through.

Ireland will decide its act on Friday night and is hoping to better its recent record.

Despite the most wins with seven, it has only qualified for the final twice since 2013.

Image source, BBC Studios

For those who watch football draws, this all has a bit of a UEFA Champions League feel about it as we are about to get the first 15 countries who will take part in the first semi-final.

Serbia, Sweden and Latvia are the first three countries out and on the grid.

Ireland follow to a huge cheer and applause from the audience.