Korhan Abay, the male host of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, fullfills a twenty year old dream with hosting this year's contest. He said that in an interview with esctoday.com.

“Last year, I was watching the Eurovision Song Contest together with some friends. After Sertab Erener performed her song, we went to dinner and when we came back, she was leading the voting! When she received the final points that made her win, we opened a bottle of champagne”, Korhan said to esctoday.com during last night's welcome reception. With glittering eyes he continued: “Suddenly, my friend reminded me to the fact that it was Turkey that would be hosting next year's Eurovision Song Contest, and this was my chance to make a wish come true “.

When we asked Korhan if he offered himself or if TRT asked him, he told us that TRT asked him because of his knowledge of the English and French language.

In previous years, there have been critical comments on the 'humour from the script'. When we asked Korhan about it, he said the following: “Because of the strict time limitations, there are certain things that we have to say. But apart from that, we will not just read down the script (…) it will be very natural”.

Korhan Abay hosts this year's Eurovision Song Contest together with presenter and actress Meltem Cumbul. In a photo gallery of last night's welcome reception, which will be published later today, you can find some pictures of Korhan Abay!