Graham Norton just let slip the sensational news of Joanne Lumley's new Eurovision role during an appearance on tonight's The One Show. Alex Jones and Roman Kemp could hardly contain their excitement as they shared their "Eurovision fever" ahead of next Tuesday's semi-finals.
"I can reveal that the person giving out the UK Jury votes on the night will be none other than...." Graham teased, before demanding a drum roll. When he unveiled the mystery person as Joanna, he exclaimed: "I can't believe it, how has she not done it before?" only for Alex to quip: "She's just not camp enough!"
Next Saturday May 11, Joanna - who is known to be a long-term fan of the notoriously cheesy but hugely popular contest - will reveal the results of the UK’s National Jury during the live Grand Final. Semi-finalists will be chosen to go through to the final stage of the competition based on public votes alone this year, but then Joanna will step in.
She'll follow in the footsteps of everyone from Strictly Come Dancing's AJ Odudu to Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden. In the past, culinary expert Nigella Lawson, best-selling novellist and Pointless host Richard Osman and even Catherine Tate have all tried their luck in the coveted jury spokesperson role too.
Meanwhile, Alex recently shared that The One Show will play a major part in covering the competition, in spite of the ceremony being all the way over in Malmo, Sweden. She announced: "We are going to be the official opening act right at the heart of the action and guiding you through the whole contest.
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"We will be there from the Tuesday 9th of May for the semi-finals and then we will be getting the party started before the final on Saturday 13th of May.
"This is mega and a very special countdown to the Eurovision with The One Show."
Referring to astonishment at the idea the show would take place on a Saturday, Ronan Keating quipped: "I know they're going to have to double your pay."
However, Alex cheekily shot back: "Yeah, to £4!" leaving her ex-Boyzone co-star in stitches.
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In reality, however, the BBC host's net worth has been valued at over £1 million.
Meanwhile, Joanna Lumley's character from Absolutely Fabulous, Patsy Stone, is no stranger to Eurovision, having previously rubbed shoulders with Lulu.
The much-loved national treasure also won a damehood as her real self back in 2022, for her services to drama, entertainment and charity.
Fans can watch Joanna delivering the verdict of the UK National Jury at the live Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday May 11 - available from 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
