The BBC3 commentator for the semifinal, Paddy O'Connell, had an exclusive chat to esctoday.com following the first rehearsal of the United Kingdom. Find out about his background in broadcasting, and how he prepares for his commentary. Plus we can now reveal which ten songs he predicted would make the final.
He started his broadcasting career in 1989, where he spent five years on BBC Local Radio Stations, before moving to Five Live. Where he met Christopher Price, the late presenter of Liquid News. Together they were involved in night time schedules, and socialised a lot.
Five years of live television followed, including a time in New York, working for BBC World & BBC 24. Since then he has done a lot of live work for BBC3, including Celebdaq and Liquid News and this is his second year of commentating on the Eurovision Song Contest Semifinal.
As a fan of the contest he considers it “fate”that he is in the situation of providing the commentary. The unfortunate death of the presenter Christopher Price, plus around the same time the EBU bringing in the semifinal format.
