Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang the Australian commentators at the Eurovision Song Contest, are saying goodbye to the contest after eight years.
Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang first commentated at the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2009 at the contest in Moscow, Russia. The two were brought together to provide the first in person coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest following the retirement of the BBC’s Sir Terry Wogan after the 2008 contest. The comic duo have guided Australia from guest performer in 2014 to fully competing nation in 2015 and even close runner up last year in Stockholm, Sweden.
Julia Zemiro said to SBS that:
Eight amazing years hosting Eurovision; what a wonderful and hilarious ride. Growing up in a French household in Bondi Junction, I fell in love with this amazing contest ever since Abba won the competition. The languages, the characters, the songs and the sequins have always held a warm place in my heart. Giving SBS audiences a sneak peek into the machinations of this wonderfully unique event over the years has been an absolute joy and a career highlight. It’s hard to say goodbye but thrilled to be handing over to the next team on a high – douze points.
With Sam Pang adding:
I’d like to thank SBS for the opportunity to explore the world and share that experience with all those back home but there are only so many sequins, burning pianos, power ballads and singing Russian grannies one man can celebrate in a career, and the time has come for me to pass that privilege on to a new team.
Michael Ebeid the Managing Director of the Australian broadcaster said:
We thank Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang for a wonderful eight years as the faces of such a one-of-a-kind television broadcast that is Eurovision. Julia and Sam’s unique relationship with the audience is something special, and SBS has been fortunate to be able to share their love for the song contest with Australians for so many years running. An exciting new era of Eurovision on SBS will begin in 2017 and we are looking forward to introducing the new Eurovision hosts for this year’s contest in Ukraine.
Australia will be revealing both the singer and their song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 on March 7. The reveal will take place at 17:30 local time in Melbourne, with the show being hosted by comedian and former Eurovision commentator Julia Zemiro. The show which will be broadcast on Facebook Live will include the first live performance of the song for Kyiv .
Watch a clip of the presenting duo over the past eight years below:
Source: SBS
Noooooooooo! I loved these two as Australia’s commentators! 🙁