SUPPORT is gathering for Southend to bid to host next year’s Eurovision contest.

The UK, which has hosted Eurovision eight times, was chosen to host the 2023 contest in place of winners Ukraine, currently embroiled in battle following Russia’s invasion of the country.

London, Sheffield and Manchester have already confirmed official bids, with cities such as Leeds, Liverpool, Aberdeen, Brighton, Belfast, Cardiff and Nottingham, also rumoured to be in considering a bid.

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And now, Southend West’s MP Anna Firth is calling on the city to get behind a bid to host the iconic event.

She said: “Southend would be the perfect place to host the competition, and I have no doubt that the judges for the competition will have no trouble in making their minds up.

“With seven miles of award winning beaches and a wonderful cultural heritage, I can think of no better location for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

“Southend boasts a brilliant musical tradition, including the fabulous Music Man Project, who I very much hope are front and centre when we host the competition.”

Leigh resident Andy Wilkins a self-described “Eurovision superfan” says Southend hosting next year’s contest would be “a dream come true”.

The 22-year-old, who has been an avid fan of the contest since 2014, said: “It’s such a fantastic event, where we get to experience all this wonderful music from across the globe.

“I just love the excitement and energy of it all and would be so happy if it came to Southend, it would be a dream come true.

“If Harrogate could do it in 1982, then why not us?”

Harrogate International Centre – which seats 2,000, only 400 more than Cliffs Pavilion – hosted the event in 1982.

However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) now has loftier criteria, asking for a venue that can accommodate about 10,000 spectators.

The venue must also “be within easy reach of an international airport and have enough hotel accommodation for delegates, journalists and spectators”.

Southend can tick two of those criteria, however the city would have to get creative to find a suitable venue.

Potential venues suggested include Roots Hall or Southend Airport, set to host 10,000 music festival fans over a weekend for The Southend City Festival in September.

David Staley, Founder and CEO of The Music Man Project, said: "The UK’s newest City, Southend, is a beacon of accessible Arts and Culture through its famous “Music Man Project”. It also has a rich heritage of musical talent and innovation, and a thriving and aspirational creative community, emboldened by our award of City Status.

"Southend is bursting with Music and I can think of no better place to host Eurovision next year. Fresh, colourful and new; Eurovision at Southend City would be another glorious step along our way to becoming UK City of Culture in 2029!"