UK plans song for Eurovision 2023

Next year's Eurovision Song Contest host country has confirmed their selection plans for the show.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and BBC Studios stated they will collaborate once more with TaP Music, which is known for artists like Ellie Goulding and Lana del Rey, for next year's entry for the United Kingdom.

“For the 2023 Contest the BBC and BBC Studios will once again be collaborating with TaP Music, the global management and music publishing company behind some of the world's most successful pop artists, such as Lana del Rey, Ellie Goulding, London Grammar, Dermot Kennedy and Mabel in order to choose a song and act that will represent the United Kingdom,” the BBC said in a statement.

Last May, Sam Ryder gave the United Kingdom its top five result since 2009 with the song Space Man, finishing in 2nd place behind the winners from Ukraine. It was also their 16th runner-up finish, the last time being on home soil in 1998.

“After Sam Ryder's incredible result in Turin, we have a hard act to follow, but are looking forward to the challenge of finding a stand-out act and song for Eurovision 2023 that will be cheered on by a home crowd!” BBC Studios musical director Suzy Lamb stated.

TaP Music's Ben Mawson and Ed Millett said they are very excited for next year's show.

“TaP are very excited to be back working with the BBC to select the UK entry for Eurovision 2023,” the record executives said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the BBC's Commissioning Editor Rachel Ashdown welcomed the development.

“We are thrilled that Ben Mawson and Ed Millett plus the team at TaP will once again bring their unrivaled expertise to work with the BBC and BBC Studios to find an act and song to represent the UK at Eurovision,” she said. “I hope we can find another artist who will not only be a brilliant ambassador for Eurovision but like Sam will sing their head off with a stand out song.”

The date of the announcement of the 2023 entrant is yet to be announced.

As Ukraine is unable to host next year's show, the United Kingdom is set to host the Contest next year with seven cities bidding to host. The BBC and the European Broadcasting Union will announce the host city in the autumn.