LLOYD Russell-Moyle has enthusiastically backed Brighton’s bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest.

Brighton and Hove City Council announced the city will “express our interest” in hosting after the competition’s organisers concluded the event could not be held in Ukraine.

If successful, Eurovision could come to the city for the first time in almost 50 years, when ABBA famously won at the Brighton Dome.

Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty said “it would be an honour to host Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine” and that the council will contact the BBC and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to discuss next steps.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown, backed the council’s bid and said he will be joining the rest of the city in celebration should the competition return.

He said: “I’ll have my sequined spandex on and singing along with the rest of Brighton if Eurovision decides to return to us.

“I think it would be an honour to host the contest for Ukraine as a proud city of sanctuary.

“There’s obviously a lot of work to be done to meet the technical requirements, but I am hopeful.”

The Argus: View of the performance stage and green room at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022: credit - Michael DohertyView of the performance stage and green room at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022: credit - Michael Doherty

Brighton faces competition from London, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester in the battle to host the 67th edition of the contest.

However, Ukrainian public broadcaster UA:PBC has expressed disappointment that Eurovision bosses decided against holding the event in the country, having won the competition earlier this year.

The network claimed the EBU has “denied Ukraine the right to host Eurovision 2023” after analysing the security situation in the war-torn country.

The Argus: Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won this year's competition with their song StefaniaUkrainian band Kalush Orchestra won this year's competition with their song Stefania

Three potential hosting locations were said to have been discussed in Ukraine with representatives of the EBY earlier this month; Lviv, Kyiv and in the Zakarpattia region near the Hungarian border.

If the UK does host the contest next year, it would be the ninth time it has taken place here - more than any other country.

In recent years, the contest has been hosted in Turin, Rotterdam and Tel Aviv.

The UK placed second in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest with Sam Ryder and his song ‘Spaceman’.