The rumours were false! Not Helena Paparizou, but Lena Philipsson will host Swedish Melodifestivalen 2006. Philipsson represented Sweden at the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest with It hurts. Newspaper Aftonbladet already re-named the contest into MelodiPHestivalen…
The host was presented and introduced at a press conference at SVT in Stockholm moments ago, where esctoday.com was present. Per Blomquist, producer for Melodifestivalen 2006 explains the choice: Our motto for Melodifestivalen 2006 is to be �unexpected�, �funny� and �elegant�. Lena Philipsson is the host that we found most suitable to help us deliver all of that!.
Lena Philipsson as a single host is chosen in order to create a contrast to previous years. Since 1997 Melodifestivalen has always had at least two hosts, last year they were as many as eleven hosts! Now Lena Philipsson will do all the five shows alone.
Lena Philipsson tells esctoday.com and other media present at the pressconference I was asked to do this by SVT, because I�m what I�m! I�m not just an ordinary host, I�m as you surely know also an artist and my name by the way, is Lena Philipsson!
Nervous?
“I have experience with both hosting and competing in Melodifestivalen, but hosting all the five shows alone is a lot! I am mostly concerned about the voting process. However, throughout the tour I will gain new experience and confidence”.
As earlier announced, the semifinals are scheduled for the following dates;
� Leksand (18th February)
� Karlstad (25th February)
� Karlskrona (4th of March)
� Gothenburg (11th March)
The second chance round on 12th March takes place in a TV-studio in Stockholm. The final is in Stockholm, The Globe Arena on 18th March and will also be hosted by Lena Philipsson. Unlike rumours, 2005 Eurovision Song Contest winner Helena Paparizou will not appear as host.
