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

Graham Norton
(Image credit: PA Wire/PA Images)

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.”

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.


Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 


David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.


Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!