Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Eurovision, TV And Film, Celebrity
Jess Hardiman
Eurovision fans were left seriously impressed after hearing presenter Hannah Waddingham speaking fluent French on stage.
Waddingham, who is known for her role as Rebecca in the hit Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso, is joined by Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina this evening to take us through the finalists for Eurovision 2023.
Acts from 26 countries are all battling it out to be named winner, with tonight's show featuring performances from Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Serbia, France, Cyprus, Spain, Sweden, Albania, Italy, Estonia, Finland, Czech Republic, Australia, Belgium, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, Norway, Lithuania, Israel, Slovenia, Croatia and the UK.
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But Waddingham ended up stealing the limelight slightly as she suddenly started speaking French.
One viewer tweeted: "Hannah Waddingham speaking french now. Is there anything that woman can’t do…? She’s such a Queen."
Someone else said: "I’m watching Eurovision for the first time and Hannah Waddingham is there??? And she’s speaking French???? They want me to explode."
Another wrote: "Damn!! Hannah Waddingham speaking French!!!! I like her even more!!"
However, while some were impressed, others were just frustrated that they couldn't hear her, as the BBC coverage saw commentator Mel Giedroyc speaking over her as she broke into French.
One fumed: "Can the commentators stop talking over Hannah Waddingham every time she speaks French ffs."
Another said: "They spoke over Hannah Waddingham speaking French… I’m gonna cry."
This year's singing contest marks only the second ever ceremony that Waddingham has hosted after the Olivier Awards last month.
"It was my first ever presenting gig, [with] this subtle little one being my second," the actor said.
"As with the Oliviers - the winners and the losers, everyone [at Eurovision] makes the effort of their lives. All of us, all of them on stage, everyone backstage, we're all just trying to put on a beautiful, massive, joyous show, and be unified by music.
"So it's very much our job to be there for the ups and the downs for the winners and the losers, and that's why I wanted to get involved."
Last year’s Eurovision was won by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, who were crowned victors having amassed 631 points from both public and jury votes.
However, due to the ongoing war against Russia in the country, organisers decided it was too risky to host it there for 2023 – as is customary for winning nations – meaning duties fell to the UK, which ended as runner-up.