The West Cork comedian maintained he couldn’t remember the conversationJamie Roberts, Monde Mwitumwa TV and Celebrity Reporter and Sara Rountree Deputy Editor, Cork Beo
13:50, 16 Feb 2026Updated 14:05, 16 Feb 2026
(Image: PA)
A music star had an awkward exchange with TV host Graham Norton on the most recent episode of his hit chat show. Damon Albarn confronted the West Cork comedian during an uncomfortable moment on the sofa.
The Blur lead singer, 57, appeared on the BBC show this weekend alongside actors Adrian Lester, Leo Woodall, Stephen Graham and Kaley Cuoco. While publicising his band Gorillaz’s forthcoming tour, Damon seized the opportunity to challenge the host for failing to invite him back to his celebrated chat show sooner.
Damon frankly stated: “You haven’t invited me back.” Graham was having none of it and replied: “Well, you’re here now.”
(Image: PA)
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Damon refused to drop the matter and continued: “I remember the last time I came back and told you in a nightclub… you remember?” Graham responded: “What? I was in a nightclub?”
Damon prompted him: “Yeah, I was in a nightclub with you and I was like, “Why am I never on your show?” Graham maintained: “I have no recollection of that. I must have been… quite drunk,”
Damon shot back: “It must have been one of those nightclubs.” Graham then said, “yes it must have been. How funny. I may have blanked it from my mind out of awkwardness.”
The Graham Norton Show is a fixture of the BBC’s Friday-night line-up and brings in almost three million viewers per episode as fans tune in to join Graham and his major celebrity guests every Friday night. The hit show has been running since 2007 and in October, Graham signed deal for three more years of star-studded episodes.
On the most recent show, Damon additionally made a savage dig at Tottenham Hotspur during the conversation, the Mirror reports. After Graham mentioned the Gorillaz would be performing at the football club’s ground, The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the musician declined to recognise its official name. Graham had characterised the location as the band’s “biggest ever gig”, but devoted Chelsea supporter Damon instead described it: “A large music venue in north London.”
Last year during the massive Oasis reunion tour, Damon conceded the band had “won the battle” in their rivalry with Blur. He acknowledged in July that Oasis emerged as the ultimate victors of the prolonged Britpop feud, suggesting their tour had decisively restored them to the pinnacle of the music industry.
Reflecting on Oasis’ remarkable return, Damon revisited the historic competition between Oasis and Blur that characterised 1990s British music. “Well, it was obvious, wasn’t it?” he said. “I think we can officially say that Oasis won the battle, the war, the campaign, everything.”
He continued: “They are the winners. They take first place. In the face of such overwhelming evidence, I am happy to accept and concede defeat. It’s their summer and God bless them. I hope everyone has a wonderful time but I’m going to be in a very, very different place.”
Damon is anticipating the upcoming Gorillaz shows. And in advance of the tour, supporters are only now spotting the wordplay in the band’s name nearly three decades later. The animated group, formed by Damon alongside artist Jamie Hewlett, comprises four imaginary characters 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, and Noodle.
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