Only yesterday, the Flemish broadcaster VRT has announced that Belgium would return to a National Final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, for the first time since 2016.

Things seem to be moving on very quickly now, as VRT have now announced both the host of the competition, as well as the concept and even a wish-list of potential candidates. The Flemish commentator Peter Van De Veire who has announced the National Final during the ‘Zomerhit’ show on channel Eén last night, has now been confirmed as host for the competition. He already hosted the Belgian national final in 2014 (together with TV presenter Eva Daeleman) and in 2016, proven himself to be more than qualified to do so again!

Peter Van de Veire bracht nieuws mee naar #Zomerhit! In 2023 kunnen we samen kijken wie we naar het grootste muziekfestival ter wereld sturen. Want in Eurosong gaat Peter op zoek naar de artiest en de song die ons land mag vertegenwoordigen op het Eurovisiesongfestival. pic.twitter.com/US8rTyi4cZ

— Eén (@een) August 21, 2022

Furthermore, the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws has revealed more details about the upcoming show. It reports that the competition will be set in different stages, lasting between five to seven weeks. The last edition of Eurosong in 2016 lasted three weeks, the previous one in 2014 was held over seven weeks.

Potential names that have made the wish-list, according to the Belgian magazine, include The Starlings, Natalia, Niels Destadsbader and Laura Tesoro.

The Starlings are a band who have had several hits in Belgium and whose frontman, Tom Dice, has represented the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo with “Me And My Guitar“, where he finished in 6th place.

Natalia has already participated in the Belgian national final in 2004, where she finished in second place after Xandee with “One Life“. Niels Destadsaber has been rumored as the host for the Belgian national selection until the announcement of Peter Van De Veire, which results in many Belgian fans believing that he will still play a role in the competition. Laura Tesoro, another name on the wish-list, is also a familiar name in the Eurovison fandom. She represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm with “What’s The Pressure“, where she finished in 10th place and has become a big star across the country since then!

What do you think about these rumored names? Which artist would you like to enter the Belgian national selection in 2023? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and on our social media profiles!