The Eurovision Showcase

He’s been a Eurovision Song Contest fan as long as he can remember…

Ciaran’s first memory of the Eurovision Song Contest was Carola’s winning song at the famous 1991 Eurovision in Rome, Italy with “Fångad av en stormvind” for Sweden. Looking back at the contest, he vividly recalls Carola’s striking outfit, which, as famously noted by the late great Sir Terry Wogan in his commentary for the UK, made her look a little like “Peter Pan,” with its playful flair and whimsical details. The incredible performance she delivered not only showcased her remarkable vocal abilities, but also captivated the audience with its catchy tune and the dramatic display of huge wind machines that added an unforgettable visual element to the experience. The combination of these factors created an electric atmosphere that left a lasting impression on Ciaran. From that fateful moment, he became a devoted fan for life, eagerly following the Eurovision tradition each year, waiting to see what new and exciting talents would grace the stage, all the while reminiscing about that magical night in Rome.

Ciaran became a Radio Presenter in January of 2012 at Southampton’s Local Radio Station called Voice FM and knew he had to share his love of the world’s biggest and greatest singing competition, the Eurovision Song Contest, with as many listeners as possible. While hosting the Sunday Breakfast Show between late 2012 and mid 2014, he gave the listeners of Southampton and around the world a taste of the exciting performances and vibrant culture associated with Eurovision each week through his engaging segment “The Eurovision Showcase.” In this interactive segment, he encouraged listeners to cast their votes for their favorite songs from that year’s contest, creating a buzz of anticipation as everyone eagerly awaited to hear which song would be played on the radio. The immense success and popularity of this segment showed that many shared his passion, prompting Ciaran to dream of extending his enthusiasm for Eurovision by hosting his own dedicated radio show about the event. Sadly, this wasn’t possible as the station had other ideas with the playout content, steering in a different direction that left Ciaran feeling somewhat disheartened yet determined to continue his mission. It was then that he found his new home at Forest FM in July of 2014, where he could finally embrace his vision. From October that year, “The Eurovision Showcase on Forest FM” was born, featuring lively discussions, guest interviews, and special features that captured the essence of the competition. This innovative show quickly garnered a devoted following and was to culminate in a prime Sunday afternoon slot at 5pm, allowing fans to gather and celebrate their love for music and the joy of Eurovision together.