Graham Nortonhas enchanted viewers with engaging interviews onhis celebrity chat seriesThe Graham Norton Showfor nearly 20 years on the BBC. Norton began his career in entertainment in the 1990s, working his way up as a comedian, actor, and radio personality. Once he landed his own chat series on the BBC,his quick wit and wry personality made him beloved by his viewers, so much so that he has a reputation as being Ireland’s most successful living broadcaster.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Norton has other obligations to keep up with other than hostingThe Graham Norton Show. Norton has kept himself thoroughly occupied in recent years, taking on other roles outside of acting as a presenter on his smash chat series. Fans ofRuPaul’s Drage Race UKknow that Norton has been a rotating guest judge on the series since 2019. In January 2024, Norton stepped into thehosting duties onWheel of Fortunefor ITV. Add to that, he will alsohost a new reality competition seriesfor the broadcaster that is expected to air in 2026. In arecent interview withNewstalk, Norton additionally spoke about publishing his most recent novel, a literary occupation that he has quietly kept going for nearly a decade.
On top of this already busy schedule,Norton is now taking some time away from filmingThe Graham Norton Showto return to his comedy roots, signaling changes on the horizon for his BBC series and host.But what’s really behind the move? It’s not as abrupt as you’d think.
Norton Is Taking the Show on the Road
Norton recently announced thathe will be taking a break from his hugely popular chat show to pursue stand-up comedy. He will step away from hosting as he travels to Australia for a month-long comedy tour titled “An Evening With Graham Norton,” starting in March 2025. It has been rumored that the legendary celebrity chat show host willspeak about his time as a TV presenterduring his comedy set, with some special inside stories shared exclusively with his audience. With this short tour abroad, it seems Norton is slowly signaling changes are on the horizon forThe Graham Norton Show, as the man himself looks beyond the horizon of the series that he has worked steadily on for nearly twenty years.
The One Guest That Left Graham Norton Needing to Cut Out Their Story
The Irish talk show host has a talent for pulling great stories out of his guests, but this one Hollywood legend’s tale didn’t make the cut.
Speaking to Newstalk, Norton laughingly admitted that he had already cut down the filming schedule on his BBC show, knocking off 10 weeks to film only half of the year. He joked with the interviewer that although it may seem like he has been working overtime in recent years, by managing his schedule this way he can balance it all: “I’m not the workaholic you paint me as, in fact, I’m quite lazy.” Although this self-deprecating observation is aligned with the presenter’s dry wit, it is also an obvious effort to gracefully move the subject away from his personal schedule interrupting his ability toencourage wild celebrity momentson his series for the BBC.Norton is nothing if not a consummate professional.
A Familiar Face Will Step In on ‘The Graham Norton Show’
With Norton stepping away from his weekend radio program, cutting down production time onThe Graham Norton Show, and taking a break from filming for his comedy tour, it is clear that the legendary host’s foot is easing off the gas on the BBC series. Celebrity chat shows that focus on a single personality have a history of transcending the individual once the host is ready to move on, like whenJimmy Fallonstepped into the role of host onThe Tonight ShowonceJay Lenoretired. ButThe Graham Norton Showhas the presenter’s name in the title, so while the series seems tied to his presence,it’s clear the BBC has hopes that there is a future for a version of the show that can continue, even if Norton himself is not available.
To accommodate the comedy tour in Australia, rather than pause the production and reschedule at a later time, the series has adopted a “the show must go on” philosophy by outsourcing the hosting role to a familiar face from UK reality TV. BBC presenter and host ofThe Traitors UK,Claudia Winkleman,is stepping in to interview the celebrity guests that were scheduled on the series for the week of February 28, at the start of Norton’s comedy tour.
Winkleman has her own storied career in UK entertainment, rising to national acclaim for her role as co-host on the beloved competition seriesStrictly Come Dancing.Winkleman stepping into the presenter’s role onThe Graham Norton Showsignals the possibility of changes in the future, as Norton has so many more projects to focus on, some of which are with a competing broadcaster.
The Graham Norton Show
