Graham Norton has revealed he’s ready to ‘dish on dead celebrities’ as he prepares to take his long-running chat show on the road in 2025.
National Treasure Graham (to give him his full title), 61, has spoken to countless celebs down the years after debuting as a talk show host 26 years ago.
But Friday nights on the BBC have belonged to him ever since he debuted The Graham Norton Show in 2007, staying on the air now for 17 years.
And as he takes The Graham Norton Show around the world over the next 12 months, he’s promised to tell some of the stories he’s collected in that time.
‘I do want guests to come on the show again,’ he joked. ‘But you know, there’s talk about some of the people who’ve maybe drunk a little more than they should have and the like.’
Speaking to Everand’s Woman’s Day, he continued: ‘[But there] will be some backstabbing about people who are now dead, because that’s how cowardly I am – yes, I’ll dish on dead celebrities.’
He did say, however, that the number of potential guest horror stories has been reduced over the years thanks to the guests he’s had who’ve been wonderful.
‘I’m in such a fortunate position because I’m never alone with them. I always have a couch [of celebs]. So, even if you have a boring guest, what’s good is, while they’re being boring, it’s not just me and the audience thinking: “Jesus, shut up”.’
Graham continued: ‘Other people on the couch [are thinking they’re boring] too. So, if they pause for breath, I’ll throw a little question to one of the more interesting people.’
One of the stars Graham has ‘dished’ on already is American actress Daryl Hannah, who is best known for her work in 1980s films Blade Runner and Splash.
Earlier this month, Graham told News.com.au that Daryl ‘wasn’t a great guest’, but put it down to nerves on the big night, saying she was in great spirits once the recording was done.
He said: ‘What I loved was, because [Daryl] got through it, afterwards she was high as a kite. She really felt like she’d done an amazing thing. And I was thrilled for her that she had gotten through it.’
As for celebrities drinking a little more than they should while on the famous red sofa, Graham has revealed a sneaky trick his guests use to get sozzled faster.
‘A lot of people think we try to get our guests drunk and we really don’t,’ he said. ‘There is a drink waiting for them out there if they want it, but the most you can really have is two or three drinks, tops.’
‘If you want to be drunk – and clearly some people do – you’ve got to arrive pre-liquored,’ he added when speaking to News.com.au.
Another famous incident occurred in 2014 when actors Matt Damon, Hugh Bonneville, and Bill Murray all arrived to the set drunk after attending a movie premiere.
The Graham Norton Show airs tonight at 10.40pm on BBC One.
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