Semi-Final 1

Rylan and Scott Mills are live from Basel, Switzerland, for the first semi-final of the world’s biggest music competition, as 15 countries compete for ten places in Saturday’s grand final. Expect powerful vocals, spectacular staging and a nail-biting voting sequence.

Highlights include early favourite KAJ for Sweden with a catchy ode to saunas, Iceland’s answer to Jedward – VÆB – and DJ Gabry Ponte for San Marino. Best known for producing Blue (Da Ba Dee) with his band Eiffel 65, DJ Gabry is hoping for another worldwide hit with Tutta l’Italia.

Also performing, and guaranteed a place in Saturday’s grand final, are the acts representing two of the 'Big Five', Spain and Italy. And host nation Switzerland will also showcase their act.

Following Nemo’s win with The Code last year in Malmo, Eurovision returns home to Switzerland, hosts of the very first contest back in 1956, who last won with Celine Dion back in 1988.

Taking on hosting duties for the Swiss are award-winning stand-up comedian Hazel Brugger and presenter, actress and singer Sandra Studer, who represented Switzerland at the contest back in 1991.

They introduce viewers across Europe to this year’s competitors and some spectacular interval acts – live from St Jakobshalle in Basel.