See Mel Giedroyc’s Eurovision butter churn at the Museum of Liverpool

If you were one of the 160 million people watching Eurovision you’ll remember Mel Giedroyc and the infamous butter churn.

During the 2023 final, presenter and comedian, Mel Giedroyc – who is of Polish descent – was seen churning butter in a nod to the Polish entry Donatan and Cleo from 2014.

It was one of the funniest moments from the global Song Contest and immediately went viral, and now you can see the butter churn in the flesh – but you’ll need to be quick!

The Museum of Liverpool (MOL) has saved it for the nation by adding it to its collection as part of a push to obtain objects and memories which will tell the story of the wonderful mayhem Eurovision unleashed on the city last month.

And it’s on display with the Eurovision keys from now until July 2.

Butter Churn used by Mel Giedroyc Picture by Gareth Jones

The museum says: “Even for a city with the extraordinary musical legacy that Liverpool has, Eurovision has had a huge impact. The city embraced its role as host on behalf of Ukraine and it was this, the incredible warm scouse welcome, and the fantastic success of the global TV show, that Museum of Liverpool hopes to evoke by building this collection.”

The Museum has collected costumes (including Liverpool star, and UK 1993 Eurovision entrant, Sonia’s outfit from the 2023 final), scripts, and props, as well as items from the local community to tell its Eurovision story.

Kay Jones, Lead Curator of Social History and Communities at Museum of Liverpool adds: “Anyone lucky enough to be in Liverpool during Eurovision will know what an amazing moment it was for the city, how sensitively Ukraine was represented throughout, and how warm the city’s welcome was.

“At Museum of Liverpool we’re continuously looking to seek out items to represent the city and its people, now and for the future, so to record this moment, when Liverpool was shining on the world stage, was really important to us.”

And she says: “The butter churn may have only appeared for a moment in the live show but Mel Giedroyc’s playful nod to the 2014 Polish entry quickly went viral, capturing the humour, joy and inclusivity of Eurovision – just like Liverpool’s contribution to Eurovision history – so it was top of the list for our contacts at the BBC who have kindly helped us collect iconic items from the show.”

There was some trepidation when it was thought it may have been a hired-in prop that would have needed to be returned but Kay says she was delighted when it was confirmed it wasn’t, and that the museum could have it.

“We’re delighted to have the churn now on display next to the Eurovision insignia keys for any visitors who want to relive the fun of it all!”