Angela Scanlon, the new Eurovision host, has a very famous relative that has left fans astonished. The former Strictly Come Dancing star, who is replacing Scott Mills in the UK's Eurovision commentary line-up this year, is distantly related to actor and comedian Stephen Mangan.
The Family Connection
The stars are third cousins once removed, a connection that came to light on Angela's show Ask Me Anything a few years ago. During the episode, Stephen was appearing on the programme when Angela said: 'So I heard, like, whispers that maybe we were related. Then I thought, you know, my dad's from Mayo. Maybe it was just one of those, "Ah, he's on telly, so are you" and you're both from Mayo, kind of...'
She then read out a note, telling Stephen: 'So this message is from my dad's Auntie Katie's daughter. "Mary Mangan," she says, "Mine and Phelim - that's my dad's grandmother - was a sister to Michael Mangan."'
'My great grandfather!' Stephen exclaimed. 'Your great-grandfather?' asked Angela, looking stunned. 'So that makes us?' 'Third cousins once removed!' Stephen announced.
Eurovision Role
It has just been confirmed that Angela will be part of the UK's commentary team for Eurovision this year, along with Rylan Clark and Graham Norton. She will be joining Rylan at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna to guide viewers through the semi-finals of the competition. She is taking over from Scott Mills, after he was dropped by the BBC earlier this year following historical allegations regarding his personal conduct.
'It feels like joining the greatest party on earth – equal parts thrilling and terrifying!' she said of her new role. The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant went on: 'I grew up watching the Eurovision Song Contest with my three sisters, making very serious (and wildly biased) scorecards from the couch, so to now be part of it – especially in its 70th year – is genuinely surreal. It's one of those shows that's always been there, evolving but never losing its magic or madness. I've been lucky enough to dip my toe into the Eurovision world before, so it feels great to be doing it again, just with higher heels and a few more sequins!'
The semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest will air on Tuesday May 12 and Thursday May 14 at 8pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
