Eurovision has now been running for 68 years, with this year’s song contest set to kick off tonight.
After Loreen won in Liverpool last year with her song Tattoo, the Swedish city of Malmo is hosting the other 36 countries who are vying to take out the title this time around.
After 2023’s victory, Sweden are now tied with Ireland as the country with the most Eurovision wins.
Sweden’s wins started with ABBA in 1974, and include 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015 and then last year.
This year the three live shows will be presented by Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman, with the former having previously taken on the role in 2013 and 2016.
While Petra is close to holding a Eurovision record of her own, she’s not actually the presenter who has fronted the contest the most time.
So, who are the people who have stepped up to the stage the most times since it all began in 1956.
Who has hosted Eurovision the most times?
Katie Boyle – 4 times (1960, 1963, 1968 and 1974)
Caterina Irene Elena Maria Boyle, Lady Saunders, usually known as Katie Boyle, was an Italian-born British actress, writer, radio announcer, television personality and game-show panellist.
Born in 1926 in a royal palace in Florence, which had once belonged to the Italian royal family, she was the daughter of an Italian and his English wife, Dorothy Kate Ramsden.
She came to the United Kingdom in 1946 and started a modelling career, which included work for such publications as Vogue.
In the 1950s she appeared in several films and was also an on-screen continuity announcer for the BBC.
A decade later she became a TV personality and regularly appeared on programmes like What’s My Line?, Juke Box Jury and the medical game show Lance That Boyle.
She became best known for presenting the Eurovision Song Contest on a record four occasions: in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1974.
The first three times the contest was hosted in London, with the last time being in Brighton.
During the 1974 contest, she also famously presented sans underwear after it was cut off from under her satin dress moments before the broadcast began.
She died aged 91 in 2018.
Petra Mede – 2 (soon to be 3) times (2013, 2016 and 2024)
Petra Mede is a Swedish comedian, dancer, actress and television presenter.
Born in Stockholm, she was raised near Gothenburg and studied Philosophy and French, but then went on to work as a dancer.
However, after her career was cut short by a back injury when she was 20, she became a backing singer for Celine Dion before working as a tour guide in her home country.
When she was around 30, Petra then turned her focus to comedy, and started being seen on several TV show.
In 2010, she hosted her own program, titled Petra Mede Show.
In 2013, she hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, also performing an interval act during the final.
The first solo Eurovision presenter in nearly 20 years, her hosting was widely acclaimed, and she then returned for the 2016 contest, which she hosted in Stockholm with the previous year’s winner Måns Zelmerlöw.
She will again host this year.
Jacqueline Joubert – 2 times (1959 and 1961)
Jacqueline Annette Édith Pierre, known professionally as Jacqueline Joubert, was a French television continuity announcer, producer and director.
Alongside Arlette Accart, she was one of the first two in-vision continuity announcers (or speakerines) when television commenced in France after the Second World War.
Alongside continuity duties, she presented the 1959 and 1961 editions of the Eurovision Song Contest, which were both held in Cannes.
In 1966 she also began to produce and direct entertainment shows before switching to producing children’s programming for Antenne 2.
She died in 2005, aged 83.
Who is Petra’s co-host Malin Akerman??
Joining Petra this year as host is Malin Akerman, 45, a Swedish-born actress known for her roles in hit Hollywood movies including The Heartbreak Kid and 27 Dresses.
When their announcement as hosts was made, Malin said she ‘can’t really describe my feelings about this’.
‘I am very excited and a little nervous, but in a positive way. I have always liked Eurovision and to be a part of this fantastic show together with Petra is a dream come true. Additionally, Petra is one of the funniest women I’ve ever met,’ she said.
The 2024 Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast on the BBC. The first Semi- Final will air on Tuesday at 8pm on BBC One.
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