WATCH: Sophie Ellis Bextor's bringing her Kitchen Disco to John Lewis Liverpool for Eurovision

John Lewis Liverpool is going Eurovision crazy next week in the run-up to the final on Saturday with loads of activities in store including a massive one for fans of Sophie Ellis Bextor.

She’s going to be hosting her Kitchen Disco in the best possible location – John Lewis’ kitchen department!

Sophie became famous for her Kitchen Discos during lockdown, brightening up everyone’s days with non-stop feelgood tunes from her own family kitchen.

The idea was such a huge hit that she carried on doing them live and now Liverpool shoppers have got the chance to be part of a special Eurovision edition on Thursday May 11.

Sophie will be joining a DJ to host her Kitchen Disco from 1.30pm to 3pm, and it’s not ticketed so anyone can just go along and have a dance.

That’s just one of a whole programme of free Eurovision-themed things lined up in store at Liverpool ONE from Tuesday May to Saturday May 13, from live music and DJs to glitter facepainting and fizz.

Jackie Wild, Events and Marketing Coordinator at John Lewis Liverpool, says it’s a great way for everyone to get involved and feel the Eurovision buzz that’s spreading across the city.

“Even if they’re not attending any of the big events or going to the Arena, we really want our customers to be able to come in and still experience the Eurovision vibe,” she says. “Town will have such a fabulous feeling to it, and I’m sure that even if you’re not a Eurovisioner, you’ll be swept up in such a lovely atmosphere because it will be everywhere.”

As well as Sophie Ellis Bextor’s Kitchen Disco, here’s what to look out for at John Lewis next week …

There’s something happening every day, Tuesday to Saturday, between 12noon to 4pm

There’ll be two chances to get super-sparkly on the first floor because there’s a complimentary glitter make-up station waiting to give everyone a free glitter makeover, and a fizz bar where you can grab a glass of bubbles.

On the ground floor, an In Demand Radio DJ will be keeping the cheesy classics coming all afternoon and you can take your chances and Spin the Wheel to win a prize. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, don’t miss the chance to take away a Eurovision pic because once you’re all glittered up, there’s a selfie mirror in store so you can get a photo sent straight to your phone as a keepsake.

Building up the excitement of the grand final, on Friday and Saturday In Demand Radio will be broadcasting live from the store between 10am and 4pm on both days.

Fancy seeing a couple of Eurovision legends?

The one and only Jemini, Liverpool’s entry back in 2003 with Cry Baby, will be popping in for a guest appearance on Wednesday May 10.

You can get glammed up and join the Charlotte Tilbury party

The Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Party Bus will be making a special request stop courtesy of John Lewis between the ground floor store entrance and the Hilton, near the bottom of the steps, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday so you get on board CT’s signature rose gold double-decker.

There’s going to be a Maker’s Market too

John Lewis is supporting local makers by inviting them to have a pop-up shop in its Eurovision hub at the bottom of the escalators on the ground floor. You’ll find Murphy’s Gin (who’ve distilled a special Eurovision 2023 gin for the contest), Think Wine, and Liverpool artists Grace Emily, Jenny Dunlop, and Sophie Green.

And music – lots of music!

Fabulous students from LIPA sixth form college will be performing on Tuesday morning and Thursday, along with Sing Me Merseyside, Rainbow Chorus, Alder Hey Children’s Choir and the Rochdale Ukrainian Choir who will be collecting for the Big Help Project based in Liverpool, which helps the Ukrainian community.

“We’re hosting this on behalf of Ukraine, we want to do them proud and at John Lewis we’re really excited to do that,” adds Jackie. “There’s no better place in the world than Liverpool to give everyone that really warm welcome.”