Another popular rumour which seems to crop up every year around this time is that one or more of the EBU's north African member states will participate in the next Eurovision Song Contest. However, Tunisian television (ERTT) has today confirmed that they at least will not participate “in the forseeable future”, due to governmental requests.

ERTT was a founding member of the EBU back in 1950, but has never participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. It came very close to doing so in 1977, even being drawn to sing at 4th in the running order, but withdrew before ever naming a participant. For the moment at least, this seems to be where the Tunisian Eurovision story will end.

Morocco is to date the only north African nation to have taken part in the contest, in 1980, where they came 2nd last with just 7 points.