Doteurovision (www.doteurovision.com) has issued the following report:

The Finnish press continues to speculate about potential hosts for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest.

Kjell Ekholm, the Finnish member of the EBU Song Contest Reference Group told newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet, "The fact that people are already so excited about the hosts shows what a great celebration it is going to be next year." He admitted that YLE has been inundated with suggestions.

Fans of the contest and potential presenters are behind several Internet petitions that aim to lobby broadcaster YLE to back their candidates for the job.

One of the more off the wall suggestions is US talk show host Conan O Brien. His chat show 'Late Night' is extremely popular in Finland. O'Brien visited the country in February 2006 after Turku city council proposed giving him a gift of a summer cottage. He met with Finnish President Tarja Halonen, their meeting later featured in his show.

Other names in the frame include Mikko Leppilampi, Minna Haapkylä, Marco Bjurström, Irina Björklund, Peter Franzén, Axl Smith, TARJA TURUNEN and Maria Guzenina-Richardson. The current YLE Eurovision hosts and commentators Jaana Pelkonen and Heikki Paasonen have fans and detractors in almost equal numbers.

"We are going to have to look at the bigger picture. The public will base their opinions on what they have seen before, but they have no way of knowing what plans we have for the theme of the show," Ekholm explained.

YLE have stated that the hosts do not necessarily have to be Finnish, but they must have a clear connection with the country. Ekholm added, "The demands for the hosts are very high. They will have to have good English and at least one of them must know French. They have to be able to include humour and wit to represent Finland and preferably have a Eurovision connection and some international fame. They will need previous experience in TV presenting. We want to include some fun, like when Lill Lindfors appeared to drop her dress in 1985, but nobody has been able to top that."

YLE and the EBU will discuss potential hosts in September. The plan is to produce a shortlist of candidates before inviting those who are both interested and available to take part in an interview. The names will be announced in January.