BBC Radio Merseyside names Eurovision alternative Scouse commentator

BBC Radio Merseyside has named Paul Quinn as its alternative Scouse commentator for Eurovision.

Paul was chosen as the Voice of Eurovision after a seven-week search where nearly 500 auditions were submitted. The station toured shopping centres across Liverpool and Merseyside, asking members of the public to record a 40-second demo in a specially created radio booth.

The auditions were judged by an expert panel which included fellow Scouse singer, Sonia, who represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993, and independent media executive Phil Critchlow, CEO of TBI Media.

Paul, from Dingle in Liverpool, will co-present the ‘Scouse alternative commentary’ with Claire Sweeney. It’s the first time in 67 editions of the contest that audiences will be able to listen to commentary in a regional accent of the host city.

On finding out that he had been chosen, Paul said: “It’s brilliant and to have it here in Liverpool, is a once in a lifetime opportunity and who knows when it’s going to come back.

“To think, I can look back and say it was in Liverpool and I was the voice of it for BBC Radio Merseyside, people will think back and say remember when Paul Quinn was the Voice of Eurovision. It’s brilliant.”

Andrew Bowman, Executive Editor at BBC Radio Merseyside says: “I’m so chuffed to have found an amazing Scouse Voice of Eurovision!

“We searched across Liverpool and Merseyside and hundreds of auditions – it was a tough decision for the judges, but Paul will be boss at this.

“Eurovision and Liverpool is a match made in heaven – and we’ll capture the spirit of the City and the Contest with our unique Scouse commentary with Paul alongside the fabulous Claire Sweeney.”