Who is Eurovision 2024 host Petra Mede? Meet the Swedish TV star and mum-of-two
11.05.2024 - 20:49
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The highly-anticipated Eurovision final is here at last. Some 25 countries will battle it out to become champion of the world's biggest music competition.
The song contest is being held in Malmo, Sweden for its 68th edition. It comes as Loreen won Liverpool's competition last year, claiming her second Eurovision victory, this time with the emotional pop hit Tattoo.
Fronting the live action on Saturday night (May 11) is Swedish-born Hollywood actress Malin Akerman and Swedish TV royalty Petra Mede. Petra, 54, is known for being one of the country's most beloved TV hosts and comedians.
READ MORE: Why Eurovision 2024 'big five' of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK automatically qualify for final
She has previously hosted Eurovision twice before and has even presented Sweden's Eurovision talent finder show Melodifestivalen. Petra, from Stockholm, started out as a dancer but sadly her career was cut short due to a back injury at just 20 years old.
The multi-talented star went on to work as a backing singer for Celine Dion. She then got into comedy. Petra and fellow Swedish presenter Anna Maria Granath penned the parody book More Self-Esteem than You Can Handle and Petra then participated in the TV shows Stockholm Live and Babben & Co.
Petra's other huge presenting gigs include LGBTQ+ awards QX-gala and Guldbaggegalan, the country's prestigious annual film awards. After hosting Melodifestivalen, her partnership with Eurovision continued when she was moved to the main stage to present the 2013 contest solo.
Two years later, she teamed up with Graham Norton to co-host the Eurovision's Greatest Hits EBU/BBC 60th anniversary concert show at the Eventim Apollo in London. And in 2016, she returned as Eurovision host, this