Eurovision fans gobsmacked just minutes in as Mika makes comeback to UK screens as surprise host

Eurovision fans tuning in to watch the final were gobsmacked by an unexpected host. Viewers watching at home flocked to Twitter after spotting a familiar face - popstar Mika.

Mika shot to fame here in the UK in 2007 with his number one song Grace Kelly from the debut album Life In Cartoon Motion and a string of hits including Love Today, Relax (Take It Easy) and Lollipop. The Lebanese-born Brit Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated star is now best known for his work in Italy after being appointed as a judge on The X Factor Italy in 2013.

Multi-lingual Mika was also chosen to be a judge and mentor on the French version of The Voice. And now he has been chosen to co-host the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin.

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Mika, whose real name Michael Holbrook Penniman Jr, is co-hosting with famous Italian names Laura Pausini and Alessandro Cattelan as 200 million people tune in across the globe. And for many, this was first time they have seen Mika since he broke through in the 2000s with his versatile singing voice.

@MissKateFisher gasped: "Hello @mikasounds Presenting #Eurovision." @whoismiamor commented: "Love that Mika is hosting this years Eurovision." @nihilisticbruh exclaimed: "MIKA OMG MY BELOVED."

William wrote: "I wish Mika was still Mainstream in the UK. #Eurovision #Eurovision2022." Tom Black @tomblackuk questioned: "MIKA??" and @neil_lev_sport said: "#Eurovision Oh wow that IS Mika?"

@caitysmyth observed: "Not that he’s old mind, but @mikasounds has aged like a fine wine #Eurovision." And @transmaskier said: "As if that's mika oh my god #Eurovision."

@RevGiant tweeted: "I only just figured out that Mika was hosting #Eurovision despite watching both semi finals." And BornAgainBantam said: "All the people who missed the semi-finals and didn't realise Mika was hosting #Eurovision."

Also delivering noughties nostalgia in Turin was rock band The Rasmus representing Finland with their song Jezebel. The band reached number three in the UK chart back in 2004 with their catchy hit In The Shadows.

@CaitieMackay said: "The Rasmus and Mika is all that's needed for a beautiful Eurovision." And @DrJRMoon wrote: "I respect that. I am just living for my teen years with Mika and The Rasmus being back."