Helen Bushby
Watching at the venue

Image source, EVN

The opening film starts with the touching scene of a young Liverpudlian boy finding out his home town is hosting Eurovision.

He rushes into the kitchen to tell his mum, and we see the news spread around the city.

Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities connected with the north-west and Ukraine.

Brookside star Ricky Tomlinson is on the street where Liverpool's famous TV soap was filmed. We also see the much-missed late presenter and comic Paul O’Grady, as well as Strictly’s Ukrainian dancer Nikita Kuzmin.

Bake Off chef Paul Hollywood, bakes a blue and yellow cake – the colours of Ukraine’s flag. We also see Ukraine’s Vitaliy Mykolenko, who plays for Everton football club.

This city is truly buzzing and has welcomed fans from far and wide – just look for the trail of glitter and feathers left in their wake.

Here we go! The first Eurovision semi-final is under way. If you're in the UK, click play at the top of the page to watch the show. Either way, stay with us as we bring you all the highlights.

Here's the view from the gallery.

Image source, BBC/Chris Gibson

Gem O'Reilly
reporting from Eurovision Village

I have spotted a group near the stage area enjoying their dinner, moving to the music.

Michaela, Margaret, Natalie and Reinhard from Switzerland are watching the opening songs of the semi-final build-up and eating Liverpool’s offering of traditional English cuisine - fish and chips.

“The food is very heavy," Michaela tells me.

"There are lots of fried things but for partying it’s good.”

They can’t go in the arena, but they’ve been to the Eurovision Song Contest every year.

Michaela adds: “We are staying in Manchester because the hotels here are full.”

“I love the old buildings and atmosphere in Liverpool, we are going to explore more.”

Andre Rhoden-Paul
reporting from Eurovision Village

I find myself exploring the Discover Ukraine section in the Eurovision Village and I encounter a long line for an interactive exhibition called "See Hear Feel Ukraine".

Inside, Eurovision revellers can watch drone footage of Ukraine's landscape, learn about its brightest creative figures, smell plants taken from the nation, and listen to Ukrainian poetry.

Olha Kolesnikova, who has just come from Kyiv to set up the tent with charity Music Saves UA, says she meets people from Ukraine who are happy to see familiar famous faces.

"A huge team worked on this place, all Ukrainians," she tells me.

"So its authentic.

"There was a little British boy who told us how much he knows about Ukraine and he hugged us all, and we thought it was so cute and the team started crying.

Gem O'Reilly
reporting from Eurovision Village

Don One is a drag act performing at Eurocamp which is just next to Liverpool One - a shopping, residential, and leisure complex in the city centre.

He spoke to me about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation this week for Eurovision.

Don believes: “We are performing today as an addition to the Euro fest as drag performers.

"I’m a drag king and we are just celebrating Eurovision pride because there’s a real push and positive attitude towards showcasing LGBTQ+ performers at Eurovision”.

Måns Zelmerlöw
Eurovisioncast Host

Image source, epa

Eurovision means so much to me because I grew up loving it and being part of it all.

Representing Sweden had always been a dream of mine, and after winning it, so many dreams did come true.

I got to do two European tours, I got to do everything that I ever wanted - all thanks to Eurovision and I’m forever grateful.

This year, I think it’s going to be a tight race between the three top countries.

I am also looking forward to experiencing the Eurovision bubble again, and just being inside that with all the fans, with everyone.

Mark Savage
Watching at the venue

Image source, Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Exactly 36 years ago today, Ireland's Johnny Logan won Eurovision for the second time with his plaintive ballad, Hold Me Now.

Since then, many have tried to replicate his success, but none have succeeded. Except for Johnny himself, who won for a third time in 1992, the show off.

That could change this year, though. Swedish star Loreen, who triumphed in 2012 with the stone cold Eurovision classic Euphoria, is back for a second attempt.

Her song, Tattoo, is up 11th tonight and, if the bookmakers are correct, it'll sail through to the final and top the leaderboard.

Over the weekend, we asked her if she cared about winning.

"No, I care about creating something that is real," she replied. "So my fear is compromising, my fear is that it's not authentic."

Daniel Rosney
Eurovision reporter, in the arena

Fans have started to arrive here in the arena. Loads have their national flags draped around them.

Up on the stage, two drag queens are DJing behind a golden desk. They’re playing the hits of Eurovision we all know and love.

A countdown to showtime at eight is on screen, which just adds to the excitement.

Hits like ABBA’s Waterloo, Conchita’s Rise Like a Phoenix and Give That Wolf a Banana by Subwoolfer are pumping out.

Up until this year, the semi-finals had the same voting system as the grand final: Each country awarded points based on both a public vote, and the opinions of a jury of music experts.

But this year, only the public get to decide which 20 songs which qualify from the two semi-finals. The final will still include a jury vote.

To complicate things further, you can only vote in the semi-final your country takes part in. And while you can vote up to 20 times, you cannot vote for your own act.

And the rules don’t end there, either… Fans in countries that don’t take part in Eurovision get a vote, too. Their score will be combined into one “rest of the world” vote.

And there are six contestants who skip the semis and go straight to Saturday’s Grand Final - but their home countries also get a say in who qualifies.

Viewers in Germany, Italy and France vote tonight; while those in Spain, Ukraine and the United Kingdom get their turn on Thursday.

Helen Bushby
Watching at the venue

We're gathered in the press room, with people getting last-minute snacks and cups of tea in preparation for tonight's big show.

There's journalists here from around the world, and much of the anticipatory chat is about who will stay and who won't make it through to Saturday.

Of the 15 acts, only 10 will sing at the final, and EVERYONE has an opinion!

Do you have a favourite?

Gem O'Reilly
reporting from Eurovision Village

I am on the hunt for different flags, next to catch my eye is an Irish tricolour and I stop to speak with Catherine from Dublin and Shannon from County Louth.

The pair were dancing with their Irish flag and told me they are very glad they’ve been able to access the events this year - especially with Liverpool being so near to their country.

Neither are overly confident in Ireland’s song, but they are here celebrating their country and enjoying their time in Liverpool.

“I’m so happy!" Catherine remarks.

"I’ve been obsessed with Eurovision since I was a kid and I’m glad I could come over here for it to be with my sister-in-law.

It's just 30 minutes to go before the first semi final begins.

The crowds are building, the acts are readying and we're here to bring you all of the action.

Just click the play button at the top of the page to get a special preview ahead of the main event at 8pm.

Image source, Rita Ora / Twitter

Rita Ora's just posted a photo of 12-year-old Sofiia, who'll be dancing with her on stage tonight.

Sofiia is a refugee from Rivne, in the north west of Kyiv, who's been living in Warrington since 2022.

It's an experience that Ora, whose family fled the Balkans war in the 1990s, understands deeply.

"The plight of Sofiia’s family reminds me of the incredible journey my family went through when I was her age, and how I will be forever grateful to the UK for showing us kindness and compassion," she wrote on Twitter. , external

"Sofiia opens my performance this evening playing with a ball, representing the loss of childhood for these poor refugees. I hope this amazing song contest opens hearts across Europe and the world. We love you Ukraine, we all perform tonight, for you."

Spirits were high on the 1143 train from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street, brimming with excited Eurovision fans.

Get a taste of the Eurovision train journey here:

Gem O'Reilly
reporting from Eurovision Village

Kieran, Dallon and Gabe met on a Eurovision fan forum in 2016 and they’ve since watched a few finals together - but this is the first time the three Eurovision fanatics have come together in the UK.

They’re all betting on Finland winning and are donning the Finnish and Swedish flags as they think both countries have strong chances with their songs and artists.

Kieran, originally from Minneapolis, currently lives in Finland, and feels the UK has really stepped up.

"There’s so much to do for fans,” he tells me.

Gabe, from Newcastle, adds: “I’ve waited all my life for Eurovision to come to the UK.

"It’s so amazing but overwhelming that it’s here. It’s incredible that we all get to experience it together, but also there’s a tinge of sadness that it should have been in Ukraine”.

Helen Bushby
Watching at the venue

It's very nearly showtime.

All 15 acts gearing up for tonight's semi-final have done endless rehearsals and sound checks. Nerves will be mounting.

Fans have queued in the sunshine and they're gathering in the arena, where the stage is set.

Not long to wait - watch this space!

Image source, PA

Liverpool - the birth place of the Beatles - has long had a rich music heritage.

The legendary band, who got together in 1960, made their name playing clubs in the city, before being catapulted to stardom and Beatlemania.

They are widely cited as the best-selling music artists of all time.

Liverpool’s other contributions to pop music include Gerry and the Pacemakers, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Spice Girl Melanie C, Cilla Black, Atomic Kitten, Dance group CamelPhat, and of course Eurovision runner-up Sonia.

And it is also home to Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra - the UK’s oldest continuing symphony orchestra.

Gem O'Reilly
reporting from Eurovision Village

I’ve just met a family all dressed entirely in the union jacks.

Stephen, Kate and baby Edward are taking in all the excitement from the fan zone waiting for the semi-final to start.

“We’re huge fans of Eurovision when we first started dating we started watching it together and we have been ever since," Kate tells me.

"We went to the rehearsal today for the semi-final it was such a buzz of energy.

"Edward has just learnt to clap last week and he was clapping away, he loved the rehearsals.

Andre Rhoden-Paul
reporting from Eurovision Village

Bustling, is the first word that comes to mind when I describe Eurovision Village.

It is the fenced-off fan zone at Pier Head - behind the grand landmark Liver and Port of Liverpool buildings - for the public with tickets to enjoy the spirit of Eurovision.

We have a very very loud main stage, where acts like Eurovision legend Sonia are performing, and the English National Opera are entertaining folk with an operatic version of Eurovision iconic song Euphoria.

That's a first!

There are also lots of bars and food vans, as well as a Discover Ukraine section where people can sample Ukrainian food.

It's a great atmosphere here for a Tuesday afternoon, with people with flags from every European nation.

Diana Kuryshko
BBC Ukrainian Service, reporting from Liverpool

Image source, Reuters

Today in Kyiv, nothing reminds of the competition, which is held thousands of kilometres away on behalf of Ukraine.

However, fans are still waiting for the show.

They will probably watch the concert from the bomb shelter today if there is another air raid.

The way they did it last year.

Footage of Timur Miroshnychenko commenting on the ceremony from the shelter and celebrating the victory went viral all over the world.

Today, Timur is one of the presenters of the show in Liverpool.

"Despite the fact that there is no festive mood in Kyiv right now, Ukrainian fans are looking forward to the Eurovision Song Contest," Andriy Pohoril tells me

"Everyone discusses songs in their communities, groups. I hope that the festive mood will appear during the show itself. I will be glad to see Timur Miroshnychenko and Julia Sanina. There will be videos about Ukraine. Ukrainian performers will be on stage."