Due to unforeseen circumstances, actor Ncuti Gatwa has withdrawn from his role as the United Kingdom’s spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Grand Final. The BBC has confirmed that singer and BBC Radio 2 DJ Sophie Ellis-Bextor will step in to deliver the UK jury’s votes during the live broadcast from Basel, Switzerland, on 17 May.
The news was announced on 16 May, just the day before the Grand Final. While the reason for Ncuti Gatwa’s withdrawal has not been disclosed, the BBC Press Office quickly confirmed that a familiar and much-loved British pop star would take on the responsibility of presenting the UK’s jury scores.
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Sophie Ellis-Bextor, known for her early 2000s hits such as Murder on the dancefloor and Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love), expressed her enthusiasm about joining the Eurovision Grand Final. She said:
I love Eurovision and it’s a privilege to be part of 2025’s Grand Final. What an honour it is to announce the UK’s jury score on such a special show which always puts music front and centre. I am very much looking forward to delivering the iconic douze points from the United Kingdom!
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Grand Final will take place on 17 May at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland. The UK’s entry this year is the girl group Remember Monday with their song What the hell just happened?.
