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Dan Westwood, an actor, TV presenter and radio broadcaster from the town, was asked to be the BBC’s North East host for the Eurovision party in Darlington on Saturday attended by thousands of people.

It was one of a number of official parties announced by the BBC across the UK as part of its coverage of the contest final which was held in Liverpool on behalf of 2022’s winner Ukraine.

Dan introduced a host of acts and performers on stage throughout the day leading up to screening the final on the night.

Dan Westwood (pink jacket) with Eurovision fans at the BBC party in Darlington on Saturday.

He said: “The North East just do a party really well. Everyone was out in force getting behind the UK and supporting Ukraine.

“It was just electric on stage. It was packed from 11.30am and the town was bouncing in the run up to the live broadcast."

Dan said he was honoured to be a small part of the BBC's wider coverage and praised the crews involved in the show which crossed to the live final broadcast in Liverpool.

He added: “It was a career highlight for me. I’m still pinching myself.”

Dan Westwood in Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REID

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The Tees Valley had previously bid to host the final on behalf of Ukraine and the event in Darlington got a mention during the BBC broadcast which was watched by an average of just under 10 million people – its highest ever.

As well as screening the contest final on a big screen, the party in Darlington featured Ukrainian violinist Nadia Violin, Abba Tribute Masters of the Scene, Teesside Irish Dance and Balkan folk bans The Destroyers.

It was staged by Darlington Borough Council, the BBC, and Tees Valley Combined Authority,

Dan joining in with one of the acts on stage at the Eurovision party.

Dan, 37, who lived in Foggy Furze before going to stage school, said he had always been a fan of Eurovision including its colourful and wacky entries.

He is currently a presenter on Gorgeous Radio in the Midlands and is also an actor having starred in Coronation Street and on BBC soap Doctors.

Dan, who went to the former Brierton Comprehensive and still has family in Hartlepool, is also a mental health ambassador.

He started the campaign Here4U prompted by the suicide of friend and Love Island contestant Sophie Gradon.

Hartlepool presenter says hosting Tees Valley official BBC Eurovision party was 'career highlight'