BBC host Graham Norton launched a scathing comedic attack on former US President Donald Trump within minutes of his New Year's Eve special airing on BBC One.
A Festive Opening with a Political Edge
The BAFTA-winning presenter, 62, used his review of the year's events to target Mr. Trump's controversial visit to the United Kingdom to meet the Royal Family. Broadcasting on December 31, 2025, the pre-recorded show featured a now-infamous photo of Melania Trump wearing a wide-brimmed purple hat.
Norton immediately quipped that the former First Lady resembled "a lamp". He suggested the statement headwear might have served a practical purpose in preventing her husband from leaning in for an unwanted kiss, setting a tone of relentless satire for the evening.
Norton's Signature Humour Takes Centre Stage
The Irish comedian elaborated on the joke, telling viewers: “He was welcomed by the King and Queen, who were clearly happy to be photographed with him — Melania, not so much." As the camera returned to the image, Norton continued the bit, mimicking her accent: “I’m just a lamp. Please ignore me, I’m just a lamp.”
He then took the gag further, claiming there was a security reason for the hat choice. "A nice wide brim can literally save her from a fate worse than death," Norton stated, before footage played showing Mr. Trump attempting to kiss his wife's cheek, only to be blocked by the hat's brim.
A Star-Studded Look Back at 2025
The festive edition, which looked back at the highlights and low points of 2025, was not short of celebrity guests. Norton was joined on the famous red sofa by actors Tom Hiddleston, Laura Dern, Will Arnett, Carey Mulligan, Owen Cooper, and comedian Tim Key.
Music for the night was provided by Alison Limerick, who performed her dance classic Where Love Lives. The show remains a ratings success for the BBC, having been recommissioned for three more series earlier in the year. It averages 2.9 million viewers per episode and pulls in significant numbers on social platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Norton, born in Dublin, has described hosting the programme as both a "pleasure" and a "privilege," with the team already planning to welcome more global stars in future episodes.
