Katie Boyle, iconic Eurovision Song Contest host, dies at 91

Katie Boyle, born in Tuscany in 1926 to Italian and English parents, moved to Britain in 1946 and originally began her career as a model before she started acting in several movies in the 1950s. She began her television career in that same period as a continuity announcer for the BBC and was also known as a writer, radio announcer, game-show panelist and animal rights activist. 

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she appeared on gameshows such as The Name’s the Same, I’ve Got a Secret and Pick the Winner. She was in the TV version of The Goon Show and at the 1954 Royal Variety Performance with the Crazy Gang.

Hosting the Eurovision Song Contest

Katie Boyle was most known for her contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest, having hosted the contest in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1974, all of which took place in the UK. She therefore holds the record for presenting the contest most times.

When the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Birmingham in 1998, Katie returned to the contest as a special guest of the BBC.

Katie married three times and was a committee member of Battersea Dogs Home for more than 25 years. She died peacefully at home on Tuesday, 20th of March, 2018.

On behalf of the entire Eurovision community we wish to extend our deepest condolences to Katie Boyle's loved ones.