As eurovision comes to liverpool sonia the singer and west end star on the delights of her home town

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW AND PHOTOS

T here can surely be no better tour guide to Liverpool than Sonia. As the bubbly singer and West End star takes HELLO! around the most famous places in her native city, there is a special atmosphere on the streets ahead of a few very exciting weeks for Merseyside.

The 2023 Eurovision final is taking place in the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena on 13 May – and for the 52-year-old entertainer, it’s a dream come true. This year marks the 30th anniversary of her coming second in the legendary competition, representing the UK, and she has always wanted the show to be staged in her home town.

“I am super excited,” she tells us when we meet at the smart modern Hilton Liverpool City Centre for our exclusive photoshoot and interview. “When I competed in 1993, I always said to everyone that if I won, we had to bring it back to Liverpool. Now it’s 30 years later and my dream has come true.

“It’s amazing for the city and it’s only right that it was chosen because Liverpool’s musical heritage alone is just unbelievable. The whole place is buzzing now, everyone is so excited. It’s going to be unreal.”

Sonia will once again be on the Eurovision stage after the UK was chosen to host on behalf of last year’s winner, Ukraine. This time there will be no pressure on her to win, however – she is taking part in an interval performance called The Liverpool Songbook.

ENJOYING THE MOMENT

“It’s been the most unbelievable experience – all my costumes have been made by the people from Strictly Come Dancing – and I can’t wait to meet everyone and just enjoy it all,” she says. “Last time I was in competition with 25 people but this time it’s just going to be complete enjoyment.”

And what does Sonia, who was one of the faces of the bid for Liverpool to be chosen as Eurovision’s location, think of UK entry Mae Muller?

“She is down with the kids, she has got that vibe going on, she is young, she is cute and attractive and I like the tune – it’s really catchy.

“If I could give her any advice it would be to stay as calm as possible – you have got less than three minutes to get your performance across the camera and connect with the people at home. She should just enjoy it and forget there are 160 million people watching you.”

A talented performer from a young age, Sonia attended drama school at eight and signed her first record deal after approaching music producer Pete Waterman when he came to Liverpool.

She scored a string of No. 1 hits