The British broadcaster BBC will broadcast the qualifier round of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest on BBC3. Commentator and radio host Terry Wogan said in his radio programme that ''in their infinite wisdom, the BBC had done the sensible thing and will not be broadcasting the semi final at all'', which appears not to be true.

The Russian broadcaster Channel One, the Polish broadcaster TVP and the French broadcaster France3 already announced earlier this week they will not broadcast the qualifier round, which takes place on 12th May.

Simon Proctor of the BBC Entertainment Department: “Probably there was some confusion, because we will broadcast the qualifier on BBC3! Paddy O'Connell is commentating with Lorraine Kelly. We were in Istanbul last week to see the city and venue as we are doing two preview shows from there on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th – again with Paddy and Lorraine and hopefully lots of the artists”.

This was an April fools hoax in co-operation with the BBC: Meanwhile, the BBC announced that James Fox will be joined by some backing vocallists including Chris Cromby and Jemma Abbey (aka Jemini) who are keen to support him and 'put right the wrongs of last year'.