Graham Norton Spills the Beans on His Most Memorable Guests
Graham Norton, the jovial Irish host who has reigned over the chat show couch since 1998, has opened up about the highs and lows of his illustrious career. In an exclusive revelation, he names the grumpiest guest ever to grace his show and shares a surprising anecdote about appearing in a Taylor Swift music video.
The Grumpiest Guest: Kevin Costner's Monosyllabic Appearance
Speaking candidly at an Advertising Week Europe event, Norton, 63, did not hold back when discussing celebrities who have disappointed him. He singled out Hollywood legend Kevin Costner, star of films like The Untouchables and Dancing With Wolves, as his grumpiest guest. "Kevin Costner came on and he was monosyllabic," Norton revealed, highlighting a stark contrast in behaviour.
Interestingly, Costner's demeanor changed dramatically when fellow guest Dame Helen Mirren posed a question. Norton recounted, "Helen Mirren asked him a similar question and he was chat, chat, chat - telling all his stories. It was great. I did not give a sh** as the stories were amazing, but he felt Helen Mirren was worthy of the stories whereas f***er over there…!" This moment underscored the unpredictable nature of celebrity interviews on his popular BBC One programme.
Taylor Swift's Surprising Invitation to Croydon
In a lighter note, Norton shared how he ended up starring in Taylor Swift's music video for Opalite, filmed at the Whitgift Centre in Croydon, South London. After Swift appeared on his show, Norton received an email expressing her enjoyment and an invitation to participate. "We had an email saying she had a lovely time on the show and asked if I wanted to be in her video. She came up with this story and because it was Taylor Swift we all said yes. So I got whisked off to Croydon and we filmed it," he explained, showcasing the unexpected perks of his role.
Reflections on a Long-Running Chat Show Career
Norton, who found fame through his hilarious portrayal of Father Noel Furlong in Father Ted in the mid-1990s, has been hosting his chat show since its inception on Channel 4 in 1998. He reflected on the evolution of the programme, noting, "I have been doing a version of that show ever since. The main change is that I have got older. If you saw the first episode of So Graham Norton and the last episode of The Graham Norton Show, that would be quite a shock."
He praised his dedicated team, who have worked with him since the early days, for their meticulous research. "Once a celebrity is booked they trawl through every print interview and every podcast and every TV thing they have ever done, trying to get new stories," Norton said, emphasising the effort behind the scenes to keep the show fresh and engaging.
Venturing into Podcasts and Future Projects
Norton has also embraced the world of podcasts, launching Wanging On with his friend Maria McErlane in July 2025. He described the appeal of the format, stating, "The nice thing about podcasts is we can say whatever we like, confident that someone will save us from ourselves. It is like you have become creative director of your own radio station." He sees potential for podcasts to transition to television, citing examples like Uncloaked, a spin-off from The Traitors.
Looking ahead, Norton shows no signs of slowing down. He has officially renewed his BBC One chat show contract until at least 2029, with a new series scheduled for September. When asked about creating an AI version of himself upon retirement, he responded, "That is such a good idea. But I think that is weird," adding a touch of his characteristic humour to future speculations.
Personal Insights and Humorous Anecdotes
Norton also shared personal stories, including his marriage to Scottish filmmaker Jonathan ‘Jono’ McLeod in 2022. At age 60, he joked about the vows, saying, "At my wedding, I said ‘why I am getting married at 60? Because the vows of til death do us part seem infinitely easier. They are more achievable. Getting married at 20 is a tall ask."
He reminisced about earlier career ventures, such as the Channel 4 show Carnal Knowledge in 1993, which he described as "basically disgusting." Additionally, he laughed about his role in a Revolut advertisement, where he sat on a horse, quipping, "I think it was drugged. We were both drugged!"
With his self-deprecating wit and endless curiosity, Graham Norton continues to captivate audiences across various media, proving that his charm and storytelling prowess remain as sharp as ever.
