WILL EUROVISION EVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT WOGAN?
The end of the road for Eurovision?
By Julia White for express.co.uk
SIR Terry Wogan and the Eurovision Song Contest go together like chalk and cheese.
The 70-year-old Irishman has entertained British fans with side-swipes and quips from his commentary box since 1980.
His caustic commentary is as much a part of the infamously naff spectacle as the detachable skirts and questionable song titles.
But after 30 years, the cuddly presenter has bowed out of the contest saying he was "sad to leave it all behind".
Fellow Irishman Graham Norton will take the reins in the 2009 contest which will be hosted in Moscow.
But will the chat show host have what it takes to keep Britain's television audiences watching the programme that has caused such controversy over the years?
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Wogan with Katrina And The Waves from Eurovision 1997
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At this year's competition Sir Terry was doubtful saying it was "no longer a music contest" and also complaining that prospects for Western European participants were "poor".
For years now, the show has been dogged by accusations of bloc voting, which was blamed
by some for leaving Britain’s 2008 contestant, Andy Abraham, with only
14 points.
And a recent Daily Express poll revealed that you feel so cheated by rigged voting that you think it's time the UK left the contest altogether.
Norton, who describes himself as a long time Eurovision fan, today described his new role as “an amazing job and a huge honour”.
He added: “I can’t wait to get to Moscow."
It remains to be seen whether the viewers at home are as excited about this year's Eurovision contest as he is.
HAVE YOUR SAY
DO YOU THINK THE EUROVISION WILL EVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT WOGAN'S COMMENTARY?
SHOULD THE UK PULL OUT OF THE CONTEST?
WHAT SOUR PUSSES YOU ARE
06.12.08, 1:11pm
I think Wogan WAS Eurovision. His barbed wit made the programme unmissable. I feel it is time to stop screening it now as you cannot follow his superb caustic wit. I also adore his morning Radio 2 show for same reasons.
He did say earlier this year he did not like what it had become, far too political and no longer anything about the song/singer/s so I applaud his decision. He has integrity.
I will miss him, and will no longer watch the 'song' contest.
• Posted by: janegt • Report Comment
EUROVISION
06.12.08, 10:24am
Terry who? Seriously though is it just the death of another British institution like the Dales?
• Posted by: Blackadder • Report Comment
TERRY WOGAN
06.12.08, 8:45am
Who cares?
• Posted by: essexkid • Report Comment
HOORAY?????
05.12.08, 10:20pm
Good news...
I wish it was the same on Radio 2... 7.30am to 9.30am daily....Can't listen to his inane waffle anymore. Just have to switch off.....
He is so self opinionated and bragging of his charitable feats, begging for 52 weeks a year..
Goodbye Wogan.....
• Posted by: gary • Report Comment
WONDERFUL NEWS WOGAN IS LEAVING EUROVISION
05.12.08, 4:39pm
Marvellous! Thank you for this wonderful news!
I too will be enthralled to see the end of Wogan on Eurovision. He is such a vastly over-rated and over-paid individual.
His lazy presentation, corny cracks, and sneering attitude brought nothing to the competition, but rather pulled it down.
The news that he will no longer host Eurovsion is the cause of great celebration in our house!
• Posted by: MaryPoppins • Report Comment
THANK GOODNESS
05.12.08, 2:07pm
I for one will be very happy to see Wogan gone, in fact if I never saw his Irish face on TV again it would still be too soon. Self opinionated, self indulgent and full of self inflated self worth he really is not someone I care to support with my children's inheritance (licence money).
Why O why though, replace him with another Irishman, not only that, but an Irishman who mumbles and giggles himself through an, in-your-face, gay routine whenever he appears on TV.
Are there any English presenters out there? No, I'm not including Jonathan Ross or Russell Brand in that rhetorical question!!!
• Posted by: iwant2choose • Report Comment
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