BBC, the British national broadcaster has announced today that it will be holding a special Eurovision show Eurovision’s Greatest Hits – next month London’s Eventim Apollo Hammersmith. The show will be recorded in March and aired on a later date both in the UK and abroad.

As part of the European Broadcasting Union’s celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC will be hosting a concert full of show-stopping performances from some of Eurovision’s greatest actsof all time. ‘Eurovision’s Greatest Hits’ is to be held at London’s Eventim Apollo Hammersmith on Tuesday 31st March, and will be broadcast shortly after on BBC One and across Europe.

The event will be hosted by  Graham Norton ESC 2013 host, Sweden’s Petra Mede, the show will feature performances by classic and contemporary Eurovision acts and some surprise guests.

Graham Norton says:

I love Eurovision and am honoured to be co-hosting this special show. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate 60 years of the greatest song contest in the world.

Host Petra Mede says:

“I am so looking forward to participating in this concert, this true celebration of a contest that has been a part of, not only my, but so many people´s lives. And it is an honour to co-host the show with Graham, who is fast becoming a Eurovision legend himself.

Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One says:

We are delighted that the EBU has given BBC One the honour of kick-starting the 60th anniversary celebrations and welcoming these iconic Eurovision performers to the UK and into people’s homes once more.

Jon Ola Sand, the EBU’s Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest says:

Over the last 60 years, the Eurovision Song Contest has become a true European institution that has led the way in TV entertainment. We are delighted that the BBC is launching our diamond jubilee celebrations with this special event and that TV viewers from across Europe and beyond will also get to enjoy it too.

Who will perform in the show?

The first act confirmed to take part is reigning Eurovision Song Contest Champion Conchita Wurst who will perform Austria’s winning song Rise Like a Phoenix. Also joining Conchita on the night will be Swedish pop Group Herreys, who won the 1984 competition with the song Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley and completing the first three confirmedacts is Natasha St-Pier, who represented France in the 2001 contest and will once again sing Je n’ai que mon âme. More names will be announced in the coming days

 How and where to buy the tickets?

Tickets to attend Eurovision’s Greatest Hits will be available to purchase at 10.15am (GMT) / 11.15am (CET) on Friday 6 February 2015 from bbc.co.uk/eurovision (UK bookings) and Eurovision.tv (international bookings).

Eurovision’s Greatest Hits will be broadcast on BBC One and throughout Europe and beyond this Easter and more acts will be confirmed in the coming days.

Who will broadcast the show?

Eurovision’s Greatest Hits will be broadcast in the following countries: Australia – SBS, Austria – ORF, Belgium – VRT & RTBF, Bulgaria – BNT, Denmark – DR, Finland – YLE, France – France 2, Greece – NERIT, Iceland – RÚV, Ireland – RTÉ, Israel – IBA, Norway – NRK, Portugal – RTP, Romania – TVR, Russia – C1R, San Marino – SMRTV, Slovenia – RTVSLO, Sweden – SVT, Switzerland – SRF, Spain – RTVE, United Kingdom – BBC One & BBC Radio 2.

Eurovision’s Greatest Hits will be executive produced for BBC Events by Guy Freeman, Directed by Geoff Posner and Produced by Simon Proctor and Helen Riddell.

 Stay tuned to ESCToday.com for the latest news on Eurovision’s Greatest Hits and the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest.