Graham Norton oblivious to career success Down Under
Graham Norton did not realise how famous he is in Australia and New Zealand until earlier this year, when the star performed stand-up comedy to packed audiences in the two countries.
Graham Norton was clueless about being a big name in Australia and New Zealand.
Earlier this year, the 62-year-old comedian returned to stand-up comedy whilst on tour promoting his fifth novel, Frankie, and he performed to packed-out audiences Down Under.
Graham told the new issue of Woman's Weekly magazine: "The nicest thing was meeting all the people and them being so familiar with the chat show because it is far away.
"So it was weird that I've had this career over there that I knew nothing about, but it was lovely."
The star last performed stand-up comedy in 2008, when he toured the show Graham Norton: The Naughty and Nice Tour, and he had not done it until recently, so he could focus on his TV and radio work.
Even though Graham enjoyed doing stand-up comedy again, he has no plans to return to the stage.
The BBC's Eurovision Song Contest commentator said: "Doing the tour was very good fun, but it didn't make me think, 'Oh, I must do this again.'
"It made me think, 'Oh, I can do this, and I've really enjoyed it, and I had a great time playing these massive venues in Australia and New Zealand.'"
The beloved broadcaster's talk show journey began in 1998 with Channel 4's So Graham Norton, and then The Graham Norton Show launched on BBC Two in 2007, where it ran for two series.
It then moved to BBC One, where it has remained a cornerstone of the corporation's Friday night line-up.
And Graham said the current 33rd series features the biggest names ever - including singers Taylor Swift, 35, and 76 year old Bruce Springsteen.
He added: "So far this series, we've had some of the starriest sofas we've ever had on the show."
Graham was delighted that Hollywood legend Julia Roberts, 58, returned to the red sofa in October after her debut appearance on the show in 2023.
He said: "It was great that Julia wanted to come back because it's never a given, you know.
"It's great to get these people, but once they get here, they have to - I wouldn't go as far as to say enjoy it, because it's work for them, but they have to not hate it to come back."
