Graham Norton has interviewed some of the biggest names in showbiz over the years, but one guest in particular made his life ‘hell’
Christopher Sharp Trendswatch Reporter
14:48, 31 Mar 2026Updated 08:27, 03 Apr 2026
Graham Norton (Image: Hoda Davaine, Getty Images for The Clooney Foundation For Justice)
Graham Norton is one of the UK’s most recognisable celebrity interviewers, boasting decades of experience conversing with figures from across the creative industries.
After so many years interviewing people, Graham, who celebrates his 63rd birthday tomorrow (April 4), has confessed that some interviews have been far more enjoyable than others.
The Graham Norton Show has graced BBC screens for nearly 20 years, having first aired in 2007, with over 500 episodes spanning more than 30 series. In October, it was confirmed that a fresh three-series deal for the programme had been secured.
Speaking at the Henley Literary Festival last year, Graham revealed that interviewing one particular Hollywood star proved especially challenging. The guest in question was Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg, who appeared on the show in 2013 to promote the film Broken City.
Reflecting on the interview, Graham noted that there was something “in his system” and that the experience “was hell”.
Mark Wahlberg(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz, Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Graham explained: “[Mark] 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.”
Graham also recalled how Mark would cut off other guests whenever they attempted to join the conversation, though matters improved when fellow interviewee and actor Michael Fassbender managed to complete a story without being interrupted.
However, Graham suggested the reason for the lack of interruption may have been something else. He said: “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.”
This isn’t the only occasion Graham has spoken openly about his experience hosting guests on his show, admitting that he sometimes ‘zones out’ when certain guests recount tedious stories.
Graham made the remarks at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, explaining: “Because the show is edited, you know, there’s always that kind of bit of insurance.
“So, you know, I don’t interact. If somebody’s droning on for a very long time with a very boring story, I don’t have to stop them. I can just zone out, knowing no one will see this on television. And the chances of them watching the show are quite slim, so they’ll never know that their moving story wasn’t in.”
Graham Norton(Image: Jeff Spicer, Getty Images for The Clooney Foundation For Justice)
Graham’s comments about Mark Wahlberg came just a matter of months before it was announced he would be stepping back from hosting his television programme, with a similarly formatted show set to fill its slot.
On this occasion, it will be Claudia Winkleman at the helm, with The Claudia Winkleman Show temporarily taking the place of The Graham Norton Show.
Speaking on the podcast Wanging On with Graham Norton and Maria McErlane, Graham shed light on why the schedule had been altered. He explained: “I used to do a thing where we’d end in February and then we’d have a few weeks off, and then we’d come back for eight weeks in April, May. And about five or six years ago I got rid of that bit.”
Graham confessed the decision was made to prevent him from “getting bored” with the show, and this adjustment created an eight-week gap in the filming schedule, which allowed Claudia’s programme to fill the slot.