Graham Norton: ‘I never thought I’d last 20 years as a chat show host’

Graham Norton has been a chat show host for 20 years and he’s revealed that he ‘never thought’ it would last that long

Graham Norton has been a chat show host for 20 years and he’s revealed that he ‘never thought’ it would last that long.

Speaking to TV Times ahead of the return of The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 next week, the 54-year-old star said he can’t wait to get back on the chat show sofa.

“I never thought it would last this long and I can’t believe how much I still enjoy it. After the summer I like getting back to my team, who are like family. And I love doing the show because you can plan and plan, but you can’t predict what will happen when those stars get together on the sofa.”

Graham added that over the years the demands of his guests have calmed down. “When it comes to stars’ demands, people have calmed down on that front. If we do get, ‘I need different colour towels!’ it’s usually from a big music artist.”

Finally, Graham revealed that he occasionally gets a vibe that some of his guests aren’t getting along.

“I remember Lord Alan Sugar didn’t have much time for Pamela Stephenson’s therapy – I think he called her a quack. Katy Perry said something to Paul McCartney that made it sound like he was dead, but he had a sense of humour about it. All these guys loved a bit of verbal sparring.”