Graham Norton talks about the celebrities he is willing to “stab in the back” on tour

Graham Norton has revealed he is ready to ‘beat dead celebrities’ as he prepares to take his long-running chat show on the road in 2025.

National Treasure Graham (to give him his full title), 61, has has spoken to countless celebrities over the years after debuting as a talk show host 26 years ago.

But on Friday night BBC owned by him since he debuted on The Graham Norton Show in 2007, remaining on the air for 17 years.

And as he takes The Graham Norton Show around the world over the next 12 months, he has promised to tell some of the stories he’s collected during that time.

“I really want guests to come to the show again,” he joked. “But you know, there’s talk of some people who maybe had a little more to drink than they should have and stuff like that.”

Talking to Women’s Day Everandhe continued: “(But there’s) going to be some backstabbing about people who are dead now, because that’s the coward I am – yes, I’ll eat dead celebrities.”

However, he said the number of horror stories about potential guests has decreased over the years due to the wonderful guests he has had.

“I’m in such a lucky position because I’m never alone with them. I always have a (celebrity) sofa. So, even if you have a boring guest, well, while they’re boring, it’s not just me and the audience thinking, “Jesus, shut up.”

Graham continued: “Other people on the couch (they think they’re boring too). So if they stop to catch their breath, I’ll ask one of the most interesting people a little question.”

One of the stars Graham has already “washed up” is American actress Daryl Hannah, who is known for her work in the 1980s films Blade Runner and The Splash.

Graham said earlier this month News.com.au that Daryl “wasn’t a great guest” but was fed up with the big night, saying she was in a great mood when the taping was done.

He said: “I loved that (Daryl) went through it and then she was high as a kite. She really felt that she had done an amazing thing. And I was delighted for her that she survived.”

As for celebrities drinking a little more than they should while on the famous red couch, Graham revealed a sneaky trick his guests use to get wet faster.

“A lot of people think we try to get our guests drunk, but we don’t,” he said. “They have a drink waiting for them if they want it, but the most you can have is two or three drinks, maximum.”

“If you want to be drunk – and some people obviously do – you have to arrive drunk beforehand,” he added, speaking to News.com.au.

Another famous case happened in 2014, when actors Matt Damon, Hugh Bonneville and Bill Murray came to the set drunk after the premiere of the film.

The Graham Norton Show airs tonight at 10.40pm on BBC One.

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