Graham Norton has been announced as the successor to Terry Wogan's Eurovision commentator throne for the BBC.

Norton will take over the reins from his fellow Irishman Wogan in 2009, after the latter steps down after 35 years in the job.

Wogan had strongly hinted that he would retire from the position after this year's competition, having voiced his irritation at the obvious tactical voting taking place by Eastern Bloc countries. 2009's event in Moscow will now feature a combination of public votes and those of juries selected by each country.

Norton said of his new post: " Sir Terry is nothing less than legend and is an impossible act to follow, but somebody must and I just couldn't say no. I can't wait to get to Moscow. With a combination of cheap vodka and a language barrier what could possibly go wrong?"