Is Graham Norton heading back to Channel 4?

Is Graham Norton heading back to Channel 4?
Is Graham Norton heading back to Channel 4? (Image credit: SO TV)

Graham Norton could quit BBC1 and return to Channel 4, according to rumours. The Irish comedian and chat show host is in discussions to take over Paul O'Grady's talk show, says The Sun. Paul has been tipped to leave Channel 4 when his contract expires at the end of the year after hearing his show's £2 million budget would be halved. He is expected to join Sky in a big-money deal. One source says: "Graham has enjoyed his time at the BBC, but it is highly unlikely he will be signing back exclusively with the BBC at the end of this year. "Channel 4 are very keen to have him home. "It's where he started his television career and we are in talks about him taking Paul O'Grady's time-slot. "Graham has a natural energy on TV and his forte is entertaining and interviewing people. So it would be a perfect show for him." Graham, whose £7.5 million deal with the BBC expires later this year, is also said to have 'hated' his recent programme Totally Saturday.

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.