Belfast has submitted an expression of interest for hosting the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

The city could be in contention, after organisers announced the UK would host the show on behalf of last year's winners Ukraine.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said it can't be held in Ukraine "for safety and security reasons" as a result of the Russian invasion.

Under competition rules, the runner-up - Britain - offered to take over hosting duties.

The shortlist of UK host cities will be announced on Friday.

If Belfast is on that list, a formal bid will be lodged. It could mean some 10,000 fans descending on the city.

SDLP Belfast City Councillor Séamas de Faoite says he believes they can more than manage.

"10 years ago we hosted the MTV EMAs, in what will likely be the same venue that we would host the Eurovision in.

"We've been able to host major events like The Open at Portrush, we've seen World Police & Fire Games, the Giro d'Italia.

"We've also welcomed, right across Northern Ireland, thousands of Ukranians who have come here as refugees.

"We have opened our doors and our hearts to do everything we can to help the people of Ukraine.

"I think that's a very special message that we have".

Representatives from UKraine's UA:PBC are working with Britain's BBC to develop and implement Ukrainian elements of next year's show.

The BBC has staged the Eurovision more times than any other broadcaster - hosting in London in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977, Edinburgh in 1972, Brighton in 1974, Harrogate in 1982 and Birmingham in 1998.

While Ireland has won the contest a record seven times in total.

We famously won four out of five contests in the 1990s, and became the first country to win three times in a row.

Canadian singer Céline Dion shot to international stardom after winning the 1988 contest for Switzerland in Dublin.

Since our debut in 1965, Ireland has only missed the contest twice: 1983 and 2002.

We missed out on a place in the 2022 Grand Final with Brooke Scullion's 'That's Rich'.