TV presenter Graham Norton has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the world during his 30-year career, but some guests have been more challenging than others for him
Samantha Bartlett Assistant Editor, Social News
07:02, 03 Apr 2026
Graham Norton has named his worst ever celebrity guest(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/So Television/PA Media/Matt Crossick)
TV hosts are accustomed to interviewing individuals from all walks of life, but it’s fair to say that some guests are more enjoyable than others. While many celebrities are absolutely delightful, it’s not uncommon to encounter ‘diva’ behaviour from stars who make the job challenging.
Given that Graham Norton has been a TV host for 30 years, making his major debut in 1996, he has met and interviewed countless celebrities throughout his career. As the star approaches his 63rd birthday on Saturday (April 4), we’re taking a look at the celebrities he found most ‘difficult’ to interview – including the star who tops his list for the ‘worst’ interview.
Mark Wahlberg
Norton, hailing from Dublin, Ireland, officially dubbed Mark Wahlberg as his “worst-ever” guest. During a 2013 appearance on BBC‘s The Graham Norton Show, Wahlberg arrived sober but became heavily inebriated about 15 minutes into the show.
He continually interrupted fellow guests Michael Fassbender and Sarah Silverman, sat on Norton’s lap, and eventually dozed off on the sofa while Fassbender was sharing a story.
Norton told The Mirror: “The famous (worst guest) was Mark Wahlberg, I guess. He was fine when he came on the show. There was not a hint of it and then about 20 minutes into the show (alcohol) caught up with him. Oh it was bad. At one point Mark was asleep on the couch in front of the audience.”
He elaborated on his nightmarish experience with Wahlberg at Henley Literary Festival 2025 on 10 October, telling the audience: “If you ever see a drunk person on the show, it’s because they’ve arrived drunk – we have not made that happen.
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“Mark Wahlberg was a weird one because when he arrived, he didn’t seem drunk. 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.”
Norton revealed that Michael Fassbender and Sarah Silverman were also left exasperated by Wahlberg’s behaviour, explaining: “No one could tell a story. You tried to tell a story, he’d just interrupt and, at one stage, Michael Fassbender was telling a story and this one was going quite well. He was really getting into the heart of the anecdote. I thought, ‘This one is going well – I wonder why’ and I looked over at Mark Wahlberg and he was asleep.”
Robert De Niro
Alongside Wahlberg, the TV host also characterised fellow actor Robert De Niro as a “benign presence” who was simply a dreadful storyteller. One tale was so lengthy and meandering that De Niro eventually questioned, “Why am I telling this?” before the entire segment was scrapped from the broadcast.
Kevin Costner
Norton has also previously claimed he found US actor Kevin Costner “snooty” and rude. He told The Express: “I ask him a question and he looks at me like ‘Jesus, do I have to talk to this man?’ He kind of gives a half-a*** answer and Helen Mirren chips in and asks him a question and he could not be happier.”
Mickey Rourke
Actor and professional boxer Mickey Rourke was branded “exhausting” and a “nightmare” by Norton. The star allegedly turned up clutching a half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels and continuously sparked up cigarettes during filming.
Norton told New Zealand Herald: “Mickey Rourke he was just exhausting because he wanted to smoke all the time. I’d turn away for a second, turn back and he’d have lit another cigarette. It was so boring – you feel like a teacher taking children on a school trip, not a chat show host.”
David Cassidy
Norton also remembered interviewing 1970s pop legend David Cassidy as amongst the worst experiences of his career. He characterised the late singer as “bitter and weird” during their encounter.
While appearing on This Morning, Norton discussed the awkward Cassidy interview with hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.
Norton explained why the meeting was so dreadful, stating: “I loved him when I was a teenager, and then you meet him, and he’s so bitter and weird… not a happy time… I think David hates that he was David Cassidy.”