After 35 long years of mumbling, tutting and deploying charmingly barbed sentiments, Sir Terry Wogan is stepping down from his Eurovision pulpit. Last May, after Russia won before the voting had even begun, Terry said he didn't want to "preside over yet another debacle", stating it was "no longer a music contest". Despite Eurovision head honchos tweaking the voting system by reintroducing a judging panel, Wogan and his moleskin pants have handed the baton to Graham Norton. Surprise, surprise.
Of his decision, Sir Terry said: "I've had 35 wonderful years commentating on the Eurovision for radio and television. From my first, in a small music hall in Dublin, to my last, in the huge arena in Belgrade, it has been nothing but laughter and fun. The silly songs, the spectacle, the grandiose foolishness of it all. I’ll be sad to leave it all behind, but I'll be watching and listening, and happy to leave it in the witty hands of Graham."
In turn, Graham cheeped: "Sir Terry is an impossible act to follow but 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?"
