The social media trend of looking back to 2016 has reached Melodifestivalen. That year was the last time Gina Dirawi hosted the show - now she is making a comeback together with comedian Hampus Nessvold. The tour starts in Linköping.
Gina Dirawi has hosted a total of 17 Melodifestivalen semi-finals and finals - the most of any host - in 2012, 2013 and 2016, and after the third tour she felt it was enough. For a while.
It takes a lot of energy to do Melodifestivalen. You are so watched and drained. It demands a lot from you. But I was excited to do this with Hampus.
Seen at hotel
The duo did not know each other before but were paired up by SVT and after "feeling each other's energies" they agreed to go ahead.
We met at a hotel, sat there for a long time and came up with all sorts of stuff that we now use, says Hampus Nessvold.
The news that they would both host Melodifestivalen leaked last fall, although SVT did not confirm it until December, and the duo has been working on preparations for a long time.
We started in April, May, sometime, says Gina Dirawi, who says they were both very involved in the script work.
Five newly written characters
Hampus Nessvold has built his own little universe of humor with his characters, of which Terese at the box office is perhaps the most famous. Expect her to appear in Melodifestivalen. But there will also be the premiere of a number of new Hampus Nessvold characters, he reveals.
I have come up with five different characters that you will see in the different programs. All the characters have their homes in different series that I have made. But now it is a new program and then it felt fun to come up with something completely new.
Mikael Forsell/TT
Facts: Melodifestivalen 2026
TT
Round 1, 31/1 Linköping: Greczula, Jacqline, Noll 2, Junior Lerin, Indra, A-Teens.
Round 2, 7/2 in Gothenburg: Arwin, Laila Adèle, Robin Bengtsson, Felicia, Klara Almström, Brandsta City Extinguishers.
Round 3, 14/2 in Kristianstad: Patrik Jean, Korslagda, Emilia Pantic, Medina, Eva Jumatate, Saga Ludvigsson.
Round 4, 21/2 in Malmö: Cimberly, Felix Manu, Meira Omar, Timo Räisänen, Erika Jonsson, Smash Into Pieces.
Round 5, 28/2 in Sundsvall: Alexa, Juliett, Bladë, Lilla Al-Fadji, Vilhelm Buchaus, Sanna Nielsen.
Final, 7/3 in Stockholm.
