Eurovision 2023 officially kicks off in Liverpool as Frankie Goes To Hollywood reunite for opening ceremony
Frankie Goes To Hollywood has reunited 36 years after they split up, performing in front of a 30,000 strong crowd in Liverpool in a concert to mark the start of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The band, who formed in the city in 1980 and acrimoniously parted ways seven years later performed just one song.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s singer Holly Johnson performing in 1985. Pic: AP
Despite being most famous for number 1 hits including Relax, Two Tribes and The Power of Love, they instead chose to perform Welcome to the Pleasuredome which made it to number 2 in the charts in 1985.
Holly Johnson, Brian Nash, Paul Rutherford, Mark O’Toole and Peter Gill have not performed together since an argument before their final gig at Wembley Arena in 1987 is reported to have led to a fight backstage.
Other Liverpool-linked bands to perform at The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome outside St George’s Hall included Atomic Kitten, The Lightning Seeds and funk band The Real Thing.
Former Eurovision winners Conchita Wurst, who represented Austria in 2014, and Ukraine’s Jamala, who competed in 2016, accompanied by the United Ukrainian Ballet, also performed.
Liverpool has been transformed with public artworks and installations for the international music competition, which the UK is hosting on behalf of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
The competition kicked off in earnest on Sunday, with the 37 competing acts walking a turquoise carpet ahead of the song contest next Saturday.
Electronic duo Tvorchi, made up of producer Andrii Hutsuliak and vocalist Jeffery Kenny, will compete for Ukraine with their rousing song Heart Of Steel.
Kaarija from Finland are second favourite to win
Last year, Kalush Orchestra swept to victory on a wave of support from the voting public.
Mae Muller, 25, will compete for the UK with her dance track I Wrote A Song, featuring tongue-in-cheek lyrics about a cheating ex-boyfriend.
Last year British TikTok star Sam Rider took second place in the competition.
Wild Youth will represent Ireland with their song We Are One.
Loreen from Sweden, Kaarija from Finland and La Zarra from France are the competition favourites.
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Mae Muller met the King in April
The Eurovision Village, at the city’s Pier Head, opened on Friday with a performance from last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra.
On Saturday, Scissor Sisters’ singer Jake Shears performed there after a screening of the King’s coronation.
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A total of 37 countries are set to take part in Eurovision this year, with Ukraine automatically qualifying for the grand final as 2022 winners as well as the so-called “big five” – the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – who each get a free pass because of their financial contributions to the event.
The first Eurovision semi-final will take place on Tuesday, followed by a second semi-final on Thursday, and the grand final on 13 May.
A-ha frontman Morten Harket has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The 65-year-old has been lead singer of the Norwegian band since it was founded in 1982 – and sung the track “Take On Me” which remains one of the most popular songs of the 1980s.
In a statement on the band’s website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket said he had undergone
several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease.
Parkinson’s causes deterioration in the brain’s nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become
progressively worse over time.
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The disease can be treated with surgery and medication, but there is no cure.
Harket said he underwent neurological procedures to have electrodes implanted inside his brain last year and that this had reduced the symptoms.
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Known for the wide range of his voice, Harket said he did not know if he would be able to perform again.
“I’ve got no problem accepting the diagnosis,” he said, adding that it was difficult to balance medication and managing
side effects of the treatment.
“I’m trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline,” Harket said.
Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, A-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album “Hunting High and Low” featuring “Take On Me” and the hit “The Sun Always Shines on TV”.
Singer Jessie J has been diagnosed with “early breast cancer”.
The Price Tag singer, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, said in a video posted to Instagram that she has recently spent a lot of time “in and out of tests”.
She said she will “disappear for a bit” after performing at Capital Radio’s Summertime Ball later this month to have surgery.
“I was diagnosed with early breast cancer,” the 37-year-old said during the video.
“Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding on to the word ‘early’.
“It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive tits and more music.”
Jessie J at the BAFTA awards earlier this year. Pic: PA
‘I need a hug’
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK.
The singer said sharing her diagnosis publicly has helped her process the news and show solidarity with others going through a similar experience.
“I just wanted to be open and share it,” she said.
“One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard.
“I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book.
“It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.”
She continued: “The timing of it has been mad but also beautiful and given me this incredible perspective in this time.
“But honestly I need to process it and talk about it and, I need a hug. You have loved me through all my good and hard times. And I don’t want this to be any different.”
‘I’m here for you’
Messages of support from celebrities flooded the comments section under the singer’s post.
Former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock wrote: “Sending you so much love.”
Fellow singer Rita Ora said: “You’re literally my favourite person and I’m praying for you, you’ve got this. My mother had it and I know the surgery and any treatment on this matter is mentally tough, so I’m here for you.”
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London-born singer Jessie J welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, having miscarried in November 2021.
She has battled with ill health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020.
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‘Each day is brighter and better’: Meghan shares photos of Lilibet to mark fourth birthday
The Duchess of Sussex has posted pictures of her daughter Lilibet in a touching message on her fourth birthday.
Meghan wrote on Instagram: “Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!
“Four years ago today, she came into our lives – and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!”
Meghan also posted a picture of her holding Lilibet as a newborn
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Alongside the birthday wishes, Meghan posted two pictures of her with her daughter.
In one, the pair sport windswept hair with water behind them, while in the other, the Duchess holds her daughter – named after the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet – as a newborn.
Last month, Meghan spoke about the challenges of balancing being an entrepreneur and a mother.
Alongside Prince Harry, the duchess stepped back from her duties as a senior working royal in 2020 – before starting a new life in the US.
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