By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 22:05 BST, 17 September 2025 | Updated: 22:06 BST, 17 September 2025
The BBC is set to 'make a decision' on whether the broadcaster will take part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest - as several other nations have threatened to boycott the competition if Israel is allowed to take part. Broadcasters in The Netherlands, Ireland, Spain and Slovenia have openly said they are considering pulling out of the annual music extravaganza, which is set to be hosted in Vienna, Austria in 2026.They have explained that such a boycott represents an act of protest against Israel's military offensive in Gaza. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has previously said it was up to each nation to decide if they want to compete - and they have until mid-December to announce their decision.Now BBC director-general Tim Davie has revealed that the national broadcaster is in the process of 'doing a review', The Mirror reported.He told The Media Show on BBC Radio 4: 'Well, what we're doing very specifically on Eurovision is the European Broadcasting Union hosts Eurovision, they are doing a review on what is the right position in terms of entries that come from broadcasters – what assurances do they need and who can compete, and we're going to let them do their work, and then make a decision.'Mr Davie said earlier this week that the competition had 'never been about politics', but said the BBC was 'very aware of the concerns', he told the Commons Public Accounts Committee.Due to its large financial contribution to the EBU, the UK is part of the Big Five at Eurovision and is guaranteed a spot in the final of the song contest. BBC director-general Tim Davie said the broadcaster is set to 'make a decision' on whether it will take part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest Israeli singer and October 7 survivor Yuval Raphael came runner-up in May with her haunting melody, New Day Will Rise - having been booed and jeered throughout her performance by pro-Palestinian supporters in the crowd Mr Davie's comments come as a UK musician who co-wrote a winning Eurovision entry called for the BBC to stand in solidarity with Palestine and boycott the show.Musician and songwriter Phil Coulter said he was 100 percent behind RTE - Ireland's national TV and radio broadcaster - threatening to boycott the event. The Irish musician and songwriter, who co-wrote the 1967 entry 'Puppet On A String' by Sandie Shaw, said allowing Israel to compete would represent a 'double standard' because Russia and Belarus were previously excluded from Eurovision.He told BBC radio show Good Morning Ulster that the EBU should not 'normalise what's going on in Gaza.''It's not a question of disapproval, it's a question of absolute disgust,' said Coulter.'We musicians, songwriters, performers, are human beings with consciences and with our conscience still very alert.'I think the only sensible thing and the only decent thing for RTE to do is to withdraw from the contest if Israel is allowed to perform.'I'm quite sure that throughout the United Kingdom, people are equally disgusted by what's going on in in Gaza.'Meanwhile former Irish winner, Dana said she was 'torn' over RTE's move, but said she supported it.'Anyone with a heart would be devastated by the catastrophic situation in Gaza', the veteran singer said.She added there should be a 'safe space without political pressure' where 'ordinary people can come together'.This year's Eurovision Song Contest saw Austria's JJ bring home the trophy with his song, Wasted Love.Israeli singer and October 7 survivor Yuval Raphael came runner-up with her haunting melody, New Day Will Rise - having been subjected to booing and jeering throughout her performance by pro-Palestinian supporters in the crowd.
