To celebrate the TV favourite’s milestone birthday, here’s a look at some memorable moments from his award-winning career
WORDS: GERAINT LLEWELLYN. PHOTOS: ALAMY, BBC, GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK, YOUTUBE/HAT TRICK PRODUCTIONS
Acting ambitions (1986-2009)
Graham started out with hopes of becoming an actor and even studied at the same London drama school as Dame Judi Dench and Catherine Tate. After a stint in stand-up comedy, he went on to appear in Irish sitcom Father Ted, leaving viewers in hysterics as the hyperactive priest Father Noel Furlong. Years later, after making it big as a TV host, he returned to acting and popped up briefly in a handful of movies before donning heels and make-up to lead the cast of musical La Cage aux Folles in London’s West End.
A saucy start (1998-2002)
The entertainer’s big break as a chat-show host came with C4’s So Graham Norton. The show featured heaps of audience participation as they shared embarrassing stories with viewers. He was joined by pensioner Betty Hoskins, a former dinner lady from his drama school days. A great sport, she would always giggle at the raunchy jokes. Their fondness for one another was obvious and in 2019 Graham shared a heartfelt tribute following her death aged 97.
Chat show supremo (2007-now)
Graham was one of the BBC’s highest paid stars when he launched The Graham Norton Show on BBC2. Three years on, he replaced Jonathan Ross in the Friday-night time slot on BBC1. The five-time BAFTA award-winning show has now run for 30 series and attracts the world’s biggest stars. From a seemingly tipsy Mark Wahlberg to Miriam Margolyes’ saucy stories, to the infamous big red chair, it’s always a hit with viewers.
Mr Saturday night (2005-now)
With much fanfare the TV favourite swapped C4 for BBC and kicked off the coup hosting a series of Saturday night shows. Following the series Strictly Dance Fever he teamed up with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber for a string of talent shows, starting with How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? where they found the lead for a West End version of The Sound of Music. Gra
