There’s been plenty for Australians to get excited about involving Eurovision in recent years – like being invited to sing and then compete in what is supposed to be a Europe-only competition.
Saying goodbye to our favourite hosts Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang isn’t one of them, but sadly that’s the news we’re faced with today.
SBS announced the pair have decided to “say farewell” to The Eurovision Song Contest and step down as hosts ahead of this year’s competition in May in Kiev, Ukraine.
Listen: The Binge discuss last year’s competition, where Dami Im came second. (Post continues after audio.)
For the past eight years, Zemiro and Pang have delighted us with their hilarious quips, banter and backstage interviews as they brought us the weird and wonderful international singing event that is Eurovision.
From the triumph of Conchita Hurst winning in 2014 to the shock of our own Dami Im’s defeat last year, we’ve experienced the fabulous spectacle alongside the dynamic duo, their reactions often echoing our own.
Zemiro described her time hosting the competition as a “wonderful and hilarious ride”.
“Growing up in a French household in Bondi Junction, I fell in love with this amazing contest ever since Abba won the competition,” she told SBS.
“The languages, the characters, the songs and the sequins have always held a warm place in my heart.”
She said she was “thrilled to be handing over to the next team on a high”, but so far the network has not revealed just who those hosts will be.
However, SBS will announce the new performing artist chosen to represent Australia in this year’s competition on Tuesday.
Pang thanked SBS for giving him the opportunity “to explore the world” and share the spectacle with others.
“But there are only so many sequins, burning pianos, power ballads and singing Russian grannies one man can celebrate in a career, and the time has come for me to pass that privilege on to a new team,” he said.
Fans of the competition have expressed their disappointment that the pair will not be there to share in the fun this year.
We too will miss the duo and wish them the best.
Top Comments
Eurovision won't be the same without Julia and Sam! I'll be interested to see who replaces them. And just BTW, it;s Conchita Wurst, not Hurst.