Angela Scanlon has spoken publicly for the first time about stepping into the role of BBC Eurovision commentator following Scott Mills’ departure from the broadcaster.
The 42-year-old Irish presenter, who was confirmed as Mr Mills’ replacement after nearly a month of speculation, made clear she has no intention of copying her predecessor’s approach.
“I think when you step into anybody’s shoes you just want to make it your own,” she said, speaking from Vienna where Eurovision 2026 is currently taking place,” she said.
“No matter what job I have ever done, I am never trying to replicate a dynamic. I can do what I do, and hopefully that works.”
Angela Scanlon said she is not striving to replicate Scott Mills
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Mr Mills was dismissed from the BBC in late March following allegations concerning his personal conduct, having commentated on the contest for the previous 11 years.
Ms Scanlon’s connection to Eurovision is rooted in her Irish upbringing during what she describes as the country’s “glory days” when Ireland claimed victories in 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1996.
She recalled: “It was very central really and very family orientated, which I love and I think Eurovision has always had that appeal.”
The presenter has vivid recollections of watching legendary Irish winners including Charlie McGettigan, Linda Martin, Johnny Logan, Niamh Kavanagh and Eimear Quinn.
Scott Mills was dismissed by the BBC in March
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PA“All of these people that were cemented in my childhood memories,” she said.
Ms Scanlon also fondly remembered how she and her three sisters would dismantle parts of their home to create their own scoring systems.
“We would take the shelves out of the wardrobe so we could do marker scoreboards,” she shared. “It has very warm memories for me.”
While the presenter admitted she is “probably not allowed to say” who her favourites are this year, she had warm words for the UK’s representative Sam Battle, performing under the name Look Mum No Computer.
Look Mum No Computer will represent the UK this year | BBC
“I am staggered by how Sam is taking it in his stride – I’ve never seen anything like it!” she said, describing him as a “really bold choice” with “quiet confidence and self-assuredness, which is quite contagious”.
Ms Scanlon noted people have been singing his song and praised his staging as “really cool.”
She also credited her co-host Rylan Clark, who has been commentating for eight years, with easing her transition into the role.
“He just welcomed me and was like, ‘Babe, you will take to it like a duck to water.'”
Ms Scanlon went on to address the absence of her home country from this year’s competition, with Ireland among five nations boycotting the contest due to Israel’s continued participation.
When asked how she felt about working for the BBC while her native country has withdrawn, the presenter said: “I think that’s a question for each broadcaster and the decisions they’ve made.”
Rylan Clark is co-hosting Eurovision for the BBC
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GETTYHowever, she made clear her personal feelings about Ireland’s absence from Vienna.
“Would I love to see them here? Absolutely,” she said.
The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, who previously worked at RTÉ before moving to British television, has taken her new role seriously, carrying around a large binder of facts and statistics to ensure she provides proper context for viewers.