Israel’s Eurovision winner Netta to perform at next month’s grand final

Israel’s most recent Eurovision winner will perform during this year’s grand final in Liverpool.

The international song contest is set to kick off next month after the UK was chosen to host the competition on behalf of war-torn Ukraine.

Netta has achieved global success since her hit song “Toy” delivered her country’s fourth Eurovision Song Contest victory in 2018.

Netta is one of six past Eurovision acts performing to celebrate the city’s musical heritage, including Italy’s Mahmood, Iceland’s Daoi Freyr, Sweden’s Cornelia Jakobs, Duncan Laurence from the Netherlands and Liverpool’s Sonia, who came second at Eurovision in 1993.

On Monday, the BBC confirmed the star-studded talent for the show’s grand final, which includes last year’s UK entry Sam Ryder and 2022 Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine who will perform along with the 26 acts competing in this year’s final on May 13.

The rap group said they’ve been looking forward to performing in Liverpool ever since it was announced as host last year: “While we’re sad that we couldn’t bring the Eurovision Song Contest back to our home country, we’re really grateful to the UK for hosting this party on our behalf. We will perform for everyone in Ukraine to remind us that better days and our country’s victory is ahead, as well as to show the world what Ukraine is fighting for.”

Eurovision will be broadcast live on the BBC and will be hosted by singer and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, as well as returning favourite, comedian and talk show host Graham Norton.

The first semi-final kicks off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm on Monday May 8, followed by the second semi-final on Thursday May 11 at 8pm.

The grand final live show will bring the contest to an end from 8pm on Saturday May 13.