Graham Norton

Graham Norton has finally revealed the Hollywood star he deemed to be his worst guest while hosting his BBC chat show as he describes the interview as ‘hell’

It is one of the main questions asked of TV chat show hosts and now, Graham Norton has finally revealed who has been his worst guest on The Graham Norton Show. He has welcomed huge A-listers onto his red sofa for over 18 years but not all of them have been a joy to be around.

Step forward Hollywood royalty Mark Wahlberg. The legendary actor was invited on to the BBC show back in 2013 to promote his movie Broken City. And Graham believes that the star was under the influence, making the interview “hell.”

Presenter Graham, 62, was speaking at the Henley Literary Festival last week Friday when the claim was made. In a revealing admission, he shared: “Mark Wahlberg was a weird one because when he arrived, he didn’t seem drunk.”

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He added: “He told me about his film, told me a couple of stories about stunts going wrong or whatever, and then it was only 15 minutes into the show when whatever the hell was in his system really took hold – and it was hell.”

Things became so bad, Mark interrupted other guests when they were asked questions, until Mark reportedly fell asleep while actor Michael Fassbender, was in the middle of recalling an anecdote.

According to The Independent, Graham continued: “I thought, ‘this one is going well – I wonder why’ and I looked over at Mark Wahlberg and he was asleep, so yeah, we don’t encourage that.”

Earlier this month, the future of his TV show was announced and it looks as though fans of the show can breathe a sigh of relief as it has been commissioned for another three series. The 34th series is set to air next year.

Speaking of the return of his hugely popular show, the legendary presenter said of the news: “Getting to host my own chat show is a huge pleasure as well as a privilege. I’m thrilled that the BBC are allowing me to continue for another three years. The whole team is looking forward to bringing the world’s brightest stars into the homes of the great British public!”

And Head of Entertainment Kalpna Patel-Knight said: “We are thrilled that The Graham Norton Show will remain a flagship part of the BBC’s entertainment offering for another three series. Graham sets the gold standard for celebrity interviews and continues to attract the best global talent to his sofa, it’s no wonder that the show remains so beloved by our audiences.”

Graham will continue to work with So Television production company as well as the BBC. Managing Director of So Television Graham Stuart, went on to say: “We began the Norton Talk Show journey in 1998 and have never felt like stopping. So happy the BBC feel the same way.”

But it’s not just his work life that appears to be busy, so too is his home life as the TV star is currently in the middle of moving home after selling both his London and New York properties. Informing his podcast fans of the move, he said that the whole situation has left him “frazzled.”

Addressing the move on his Wanging On with Graham Norton and Maria McErlane, he said: “I’m very frazzled. We are attempting to move. We are very lucky in that we are able to move slowly, bit by bit. But the house we are moving out of, which I didn’t think had that much stuff in it.”

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TV presenter Holly Willoughby is reportedly plotting a bold primetime comeback with husband Dan Baldwin’s backing, aiming to reinvent herself as TV’s next big solo host

Holly Willoughby is said to be quietly preparing the next phase of her career, with husband Dan Baldwin stepping in to help steer the plans. After some time away from the spotlight, the couple are said to be putting together a strategy that could mark her biggest return yet.

Sources claim Holly’s aim is nothing less than a primetime slot, with the ambition to rival the likes of Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross. “Anyone who has written Holly off has another thing coming,” an insider revealed.

“She’s never been more determined. The next move is going to be spectacular, and Dan is her secret weapon.”

The former This Morning presenter, 44, who met Baldwin through work back in 2004, has faced a turbulent few years both personally and professionally. Her career slowed after she left daytime TV in 2023, while Baldwin went on to notch up a string of successes, including the reboot of Gladiators.

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That difference reportedly caused some tension, but the pair are now firmly aligned, determined to re-establish Holly as one of Britain’s biggest presenters.

“She and Dan both know she has what it takes to go solo in a primetime evening slot, and they plan to make her the biggest female presenter in the UK again. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with,” the source added to The Sun.

Holly has reportedly already been reaching out for advice and is said to have been quietly reconnecting with close friends such as Emma Bunton, Christine Lampard, and former Celebrity Juice co-star Fearne Cotton.

She has also recently been pictured alongside a strong circle of showbiz pals including Christine, Myleene Klass, and Spice Girls Nicole and Natalie Appleton.

Her break from television followed a deeply traumatic period. Gavin Plumb, who plotted to abduct and murder her, was later jailed for at least 16 years.

Holly then withdrew from public life to focus on her family – Harry, 16, Belle, 14, and Chester, 10 – and only dipped back into screens with Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt alongside Bear Grylls, which was sadly axed after one season.

Now, with her children older and more independent, she is said to be considering a return on her own terms.

“This isn’t a new thing – Holly has always had ambitions way beyond the This Morning sofa,” the insider explained. “She can see herself being the first big female primetime chat show host – a bit like a female Jonathan Ross. She’s 45 next year and she’s ready to go solo.”

Willoughby has always been most visible as part of a presenting duo, particularly with Phillip Schofield, but her focus now is on standing alone. She wants the top guests, the best slot, and the chance to finally carve out her own space in evening television.

The Mirror has approached Holly’s representatives for comment on this story.

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Vanessa Feltz quit This Morning in March this year after 33 years to launch her own rival show on Channel 5

Vanessa Feltz has had the last laugh after quitting This Morning. Her Channel 5 lunchtime show has been extended by bosses. While her former colleagues at ITV are facing brutal spending cuts with the budget for shows and staff, Vanessa has been granted more time on air.

The talk show Vanessa was originally planned to air for “six months”, but now the TV presenter has confirmed the programme will run for “eight months at least”.

Vanessa, 63, told the new issue of Woman’s Own magazine: “We’ve just had an extension.

“We were commissioned for six months, but we’re running about eight months at least, there’ll be a Christmas break, and then we’re very much hoping to come back in the new year. We’re thrilled.”

The show – which sees Vanessa have straight-talking discussions on relationships, parenting, gossip, fashion, and other topics with celebrity guests – launched in March.

However, one show that month only raked in 83,000 viewers – a big contrast to rival, ITV’s Loose Women, which drew in 686,000 people.

And it has been reported that bosses at Channel 5 were thinking of ways to “revamp” Vanessa to attract more viewers.

A TV Insider claimed to the magazine: “Bosses have been locked in crisis talks and have been planning ways to immediately revamp the programme if there is to be a chance that it could be saved.”

The show also raised attention when it became the centre of an Ofcom storm after guest Karen Millen said that feeding children past six months breast milk was ‘weird‘ and selfish.’ The designer’s comments led to more than 2000 people complaining with Millen apologising for her comments.

However, Vanessa is proving popular as the show took home the prestigious Talk Show gong at the National Reality TV Awards on July 30 – beating the likes of BBC’s The Graham Norton Show and ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show.

Reacting to the award, Vanessa told London Beautiful Life Media: “I’m beside myself!”

Asked if she expected to win, the TV star continued: “Definitely not – you must be joking! The show’s only been going since the last week of March, it’s only July!

“And we’re up against all the greats – Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross, Alan Titchmarsh, absolutely everybody! So I was not. I was thinking – I had this knot in my stomach of nerves, and I was trying to give myself a sharp talking to like, ‘Don’t be silly, absolutely don’t stand a chance, the show’s brand-new, we’re never going to,’ and then here it is, we did!

“So, it’s one of those extraordinary moments. I’m shaking, and I’m thrilled to bits, and it’s lovely for the team, and it’s lovely for me, and it’s lovely for the audience. And I’m just delighted.”

Vanessa quit This Morning after 33 years in March this year.

Vanessa told the Daily Star newspaper: “I’ve been on ‘ This Morning ‘ since 1992. It’s been a long time . But I’m now doing my own show and I can’t do both.”

As she made her announcement, Vanessa praised the presenters and crew on This Morning for being “so lovely” about her decision.

She added: “When I told everyone I wouldn’t be able to do the show anymore, they were lovely about it. I heard from Alison Hammond and Holly Willoughby immediately and the bosses were charming. I’ll miss working with them all.”

Austria was crowned the winner of Eurovision 2025 as the UK ended up with nul points from the public for the second year in a row

The Eurovision 2025 Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland, concluded tonight with Austria taking the crown in a thrilling finale to the 69th edition of the international song contest.

Representing the UK this year was pop group Remember Monday, who performed their song, What The Hell Just Happened?, on Swiss soil. The trio, consisting of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, captivated the audience with their tune inspired by their friendship and upbringing in Hampshire.

They were the eighth act to take the stage during Saturday’s grand event. The group amassed a total of 88 points, securing them the 19th spot.

However, they faced disappointment as they received zero points in the public vote for the second consecutive year. The UK is part of the Big 5, which also includes France, Germany, Italy and Spain, reports the Liverpool Echo.

This year’s song contest saw 37 countries participate, with 26 making it to the grand final. Alongside the Big 5, this included last year’s victor, Switzerland, and the 20 qualifying semi-finalists.

The UK has graced every Eurovision Grand Final since 1959 and has been crowned champion five times. The winner is decided by a mix of points from national juries and viewer votes in the participating 26 countries, supplemented by a separate rest of the world poll.

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is poised to deliver the UK’s national jury votes for Eurovision as Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdraws from his role as British spokesperson due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

BBC One slated Graham Norton once more to provide TV coverage for the final at 8pm on Saturday, while Rylan Clark and Scott Mills hosted the affair over on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

The UK has historically struggled in the points department during the public vote, often being left with nul points from country juries. A comprehensive dissection of Remember Monday’s Eurovision figures was part of The ECHO’s coverage, highlighting which nations handed the UK those dreaded nul points.

Take a look at the tally detailing exactly how Remember Monday fared:.

Remember Monday received zero love from Sweden, Azerbaijan, Malta, Netherlands, Slovenia, Armenia, France, Croatia, Latvia, Montenegro, Greece, Serbia, Germany, Belgium, Israel, Albania, Lithuania, and Georgia — all awarding nul points to the UK entry.

A smidgeon of recognition came through with Luxembourg giving six points, San Marino attributing two points, Ukraine offering 10 generous points, and Norway along with Austria each dishing out seven points.

Italy proved to be a fond ally scoring douze points to Remember Monday, while Portugal and Ireland allocated two points each, Denmark opted for four, Poland chipped in with one point, Czechia matched Ukraine with 10 points, Spain tossed in six, Finland threw five points into the mix, and Iceland matched that with another five.

Cyprus – no points.

Estonia – five points.

Switzerland – four points.

The public vote – no points.

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EUROVISION legend Conchita Wurst has revealed she secretly underwent a facelift at the age of 36 – and cleverly hides the scars with her signature beard.

The surprise admission came during a special edition of Scott Mills’ Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, broadcast live from Basel, Switzerland, ahead of tonight’s Eurovision Grand Final.

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Host Scott asked guests Graham Norton and Conchita for a never-before-heard exclusive – and both delivered.

Graham teased: “I’ve a good one. This is my left shoulder’s first appearance on radio. Brand new shoulder… It’s less than two weeks old.”

Showing off the fresh scar, he added: “It feels a bit new, it’s a little oweee, but forgive me I’m on many, many pain medications right now so if I say anything bad, it’s not my fault.”

Conchita responded: “Oh lucky you!” before casually dropping her own bombshell.

She announced: “My facelift. First time on radio!”

A surprised Scott asked, “Is that real?” to which Conchita confirmed: “Yeah.”

Graham joked, “That beard covers a lot of scars,” prompting Conchita to quip: “Yeah. I got the Lindsay Lohan treatment.”

Scott praised the results: “It is good,” to which Conchita replied: “Thank you.”

Scott added: “What we do is celebrate – Graham’s got a new left shoulder and Conchita’s got a new face!”

Conchita Wurst is the stage name and persona of Austrian singer Thomas Neuwirth.

When performing as Conchita, she uses she/her pronouns. As Thomas, he uses he/him pronouns.

Thomas was born November 1988 in Gmunden, Austria, making him 29 years old.

He is a recording artist and drag queen and was part of a short-lived boy band called Jetzt Anders! before creating the Conchita persona in 2011.

Is Conchita Wurst married?

Thomas has created a fictional backstory for Conchita, which includes her marriage to a French burlesque dancer called Jacques Patriaque.

Jacques is a real person and is a friend of Thomas.

Conchita’s backstory helps the singer to keep his real-life relationships private.

When did Conchita win Eurovision?

Conchita was selected to represent Austria in September 2013 at the 2014 Contest.

In May 2014, Conchita travelled to Copenhagen in Denmark for the competition and her song Rise Like a Phoenix was one of 1o favourites to win among bookmakers.

On May 10, Conchita won the Eurovision Contest with 290 points.

It was the first time Austria had won the Contest since 1966.

What is the HIV positive blackmail plot about?

On 16 April 2018, Conchita revealed in a post on Instagram that she has been forced to reveal she is HIV positive after being blackmailed by a former boyfriend.

The bearded performer wrote that she had received medical treatment and that she was feeling healthy and strong.

She wrote that “coming out is better than being outed by a third party”.

She added that her reason for going public was “to encourage (others) and make a step against the stigmatisation of people who through their own behaviour or through no fault of their own were infected with HIV.”

What has Conchita said about her beard?

Conchita’s participation in the 2014 Contest led some to nickname her the ‘bearded lady’.

But speaking on The Graham Norton Show at the time, she said of her beard: “It’s my own truth. It makes me comfortable on stage.

“I love myself and the bearded lady is fun and expresses everything I feel.

“Being a teenager in a small Austrian village was not fabulous.”

• Rylan and Scott are providing Eurovision commentary tonight on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 8pm, with Graham on BBC One and iPlayer.

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