BRIGHTON has only a slim chance of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest next year, according to a bookmaker.

Gambling firm Paddy Power gives the city, which hosted the competition in 1974, odds of only 33/1 to have the contest return.

Glasgow is currently the favourite, with odds of 6/4, followed by Birmingham at 3/1 and Belfast at 4/1.

The bookmaker says reckons only four cities are less likely to host the contest - Hull, Swansea, Manchester and Wrexham.

Last month, Brighton and Hove City Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty pledged to "pull out all the stops" for the city to host the prestigious contest.

The competition had been due to be held in Ukraine after it won this year’s competition.

But the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organise the show, said the country was not a suitable place to hold it due to the continuing Russian invasion.

The Argus: Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra won this year's Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Stefania"Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra won this year's Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Stefania"

The BBC recently outlined the process and production plans for next year’s contest, promising that the show will “celebrate the culture and heritage of Ukraine, alongside Eurovision’s proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music”.

Cities entering a bid will go through a two-stage process, with each candidate city having to meet a set of minimum standards to demonstrate they have the capacity, capability and experience to host an event of the scale of Eurovision.

A spokeswoman for the BBC said: “The final decision on selecting a host city will be based on a city or region’s capacity and capability in meeting the BBC’s and EBU’s requirements, as well as the availability of resources and general experience in hosting a large and complex event such as the Eurovision Song Contest.

“For example, last year the EBU’s host city criteria was based on providing a venue able to accommodate at least 10,000 spectators, as well as a press centre, that should be within easy reach of an international airport and with ample hotel accommodation.”

The list of shortlisted cities will be announced by the BBC on August 12.

One of the world’s most watched non-sporting events, the Eurovision Song Contest has been held in Britain eight times, with four taking place in London and one each in Brighton, Birmingham, Harrogate and Edinburgh.