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Glasgow and Liverpool are the two cities bosses are choosing between to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.
The two cities were revealed following a shortlist of Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle, with the predictable location of London dismissed as a possibility.
READ MORE: Eurovision hero Sam Ryder wants duet with 'good laugh' Daniel Ricciardo at British GP
Phil Harrold, the chairman of the BBC's host city selection committee thanked all the seven cities which "demonstrated the enthusiasm and passion" to host the contest.
He added: "The Eurovision Song Contest is a very complex event and Liverpool and Glasgow have the strongest overall offer; we will continue our discussions with them to determine the eventual host city.
"We are determined to make the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest one that both reflects the winning position of Ukraine and is also an event that all of the UK can participate in."
The UK was confirmed as the new hosts for the Eurovision Song Contest in July 2022 after it was decided that winning country Ukraine would not host the show, given the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine's act Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 contest with track Stefania, but as the UK was placed second with Sam Ryder's Spaceman, it was decided that the UK would step in.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the BBC confirmed that the UK would be the place to take over.
A statement from BBC director-general Tim Davie said at the time: "It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
"Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege.
"The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity.
"The BBC will now begin the process to find a host city to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023."
Martin Osterdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest's executive supervisor, said at the time they were "exceptionally grateful" that the BBC accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023.
Ukraine's culture minister, Oleksandr Tkachenko said moving Eurovision to the UK would undermine his country, but the EBU confirmed its decision and determined that keeping Eurovision in Ukraine would be too high risk.
Following a full assessment they had concluded the "security and operational guarantees" required could not be fulfilled by Ukraine's broadcaster UA: PBC.
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