On their website, Leeds City Council has revealed its plans to organise a meeting on Monday in order to approve the submission of city’s supporting information for their Eurovision 2023 hosting bid and to discuss further plans how to bring the show to West Yorkshire.

According to Council, the next phase of the process is to “provide detailed information setting out why [Leeds] should be chosen as host”.

We already know that Leeds, with its long tradition of inclusivity, creativity and cultural excellence, would be a perfect location for Eurovision and everything that comes with it. Now we have to show the competition’s organisers exactly why that is. With the support of the local Ukrainian community and other key partners, we are determined to rise to the challenge.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council

In addition to that, councillor James Lewis also said that being confirmed as one of the seven cities in the running to host Eurovision Song Contest 2023 was already a hugely-exciting moment for Leeds. He added that since the announcement, they have been working to fine-tune the details of their bid so it makes the best possible case for Leeds to be given the honour of holding the competition on behalf of their friends in Ukraine. Mr. Lewis stressed that they will put their heart and soul into delivering a Eurovision which will do the Ukrainian nation proud.

Leeds has already given the Eurovision Song Contest a winner, as a member of of Brotherhood of Man, Sandra Stevens won the show back in 1976. The following year Leeds-born musician Mike Moran finished in second place at the show in a duet with Lynsey de Paul performing the song “Rock Bottom”.

One of the most recent singers from Leeds was Caroline Barnes who alongside Natalie Powers, David Ducasse and Russ Spencer as Scooch represented the UK at Eurovision 2007 with “Flying the Flag (For You)”. In addition to that, this year’s representatives of Czech Republic, We Are Domi – Dominika, Casper, and Benjamin met while they were studying at Leeds College of Music.

Leeds is among seven cities that have been shortlisted to host next year’s edition of Eurovision Song Contest while the other six are: Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield. The deadline to submit bids is 8th of September. Which city would you like to see as the host of Eurovision Song Contest 2023? Let us know in the comments below and at our social media @escbubble.