Eurovision lovers were left in stitches on Tuesday after a BBC reporter accidentally interviewed a fan instead of Finland’s entrant Kaarija.
The first Eurovision semi-final took place on Tuesday, with Kaarija, who performed his song Cha Cha Cha, one of the 10 acts selected to advance to the final on Saturday.
After a preview show, BBC North West Tonight aired a selection of interviews with fans who expressed their support for the contestants.
Speaking to an unidentified man in a similar luminous green top worn by Kaarija onstage, the reporter said: ‘We even managed to catch up with the main man himself’.
The strapline underneath the interview, held in the host city Liverpool, also read ‘Kaarija – Finland entrant’.
Oops! Eurovision lovers were left in stitches on Tuesday after a BBC reporter accidentally interviewed a fan instead of Finland’s entrant Kaarija
The real deal: Speaking to a man in a similar luminous green top worn by Kaarija (pictured) on stage, the reporter said: ‘We even managed to catch up with the main man himself’
The presenter asked the man about Liverpool as a host city and the man said: ‘Incredible. In comparison with all the other countries that I have been (to), this is better organized.
‘Everything is walking distance, and it’s just so friendly. Everything is just so easy around here. It’s incredible.’
The BBC later revealed that their mix-up was a case of ‘Eurovision fever’ as anticipation builds for Saturday’s grand final.
Eurovision fans were left in stitches by the blunder, taking to Twitter to share their reactions to the moment.
One person said: ‘This is the best thing I’ve ever seen’ while someone else said: ‘This is gold… I’m still laughing now!’
Someone else wrote: ‘Funny thing is he’d never heard of him and was dressed like that anyway.’
And a separate person said: ‘Pwahaha’, clearly amused by the mix-up.
A BBC North West Tonight spokesperson said: ‘This was a case of Eurovision fever. We hope the real Käärijä will join us on North West Tonight so we can say sorry and wish him well for the Grand Final.’
It comes after Rebecca Ferguson caught the eye on Tuesday as she delivered a powerhouse performance at the first Eurovision semi-final.
The singer, 36, looked nothing short of sensational in a voluminous ruffled orange gown.
Funny: Eurovision fans were left in stitches by the blunder, taking to Twitter to share their reactions to the moment
The incredible dress was made up of layers of tulle and boasted a long train that flowed behind her on the stage.
Rebecca wore a pair of sparking jewel-encrusted earrings and added several gold rings.
Her raven tresses were swept up from her face in a high ponytail as she showed off her vocal talents.
The X Factor star completed her striking look with a full face of glamorous make-up and a slick of lip gloss.
Incredible: It comes after Rebecca Ferguson caught the eye on Tuesday as she delivered a powerhouse performance at the first Eurovision semi-final