The Graham Norton Show is back on the BBC for the penultimate episode of its 32nd season, but this week, something’s different: the beloved host Graham Norton will not be behind the iconic red sofa. Instead, Claudia Winkleman, known for her work on Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors, will step onto the stage to lead the show this Friday, February 28, 2025, marking only the second time Norton has missed his own show during its impressive run.
Viewers eager to see the familiar face of Graham will have to wait as he is currently on his live stand-up tour across Australia, performing to audiences eager to see his unique brand of humor. Graham Norton, 61, revealed earlier this year on his show during Winkleman's guest appearance: "Claudia does have another little job coming up. At the end of this series, I'm popping off to do a tour of Australia, and my seat is going to be filled for one week only by none other than Claudia Winkleman." Her guest hosting duties will allow her to welcome some of the most exciting names from Hollywood and British television to the show.
This week’s guests joining Claudia on the famous red sofa include Hollywood star Chris Pratt, who is promoting his new sci-fi comedy drama The Electric State. Saoirse-Monica Jackson, known from the hit series Derry Girls, will also be featured, discussing her role in the new BBC drama series This City is Ours. Comedian Rob Beckett will share insights about his return to the screen with the new series of panel game Rob Beckett's Smart TV. Lastly, British actor Toby Jones, familiar to many for his recent work, will talk about his role as Richard Burton’s inspirational teacher.
The episode promises lively conversations as viewers anticipate Winkleman’s take on the beloved format. The show's return has kept audiences engaged, and the promotional material has set high expectations for its guests – each bringing their own intriguing stories and humor to the table.
Why is Graham Norton missing this week? He is off performing across various cities including Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne as part of his stand-up tour, An Evening with Graham Norton, scheduled throughout March. Besides this significant tour, it’s important to note how rare it is for Norton to be away from his show. The only other time he missed hosting duties was back in 2019 when he was covering the BBC’s Eurovision Song Contest!
Fans of The Graham Norton Show can breathe easy, though, as Graham will return to his rightful hosting spot on March 7, for the show's final episode of the season, which will be a compilation of the best moments from this series. Looking back, since 2017 The Graham Norton Show has typically run from September to March, with breaks during the rest of the year, giving Graham the chance to pursue other creative endeavors.
After Claudia’s hosting event on Friday, anticipation builds for the March 7 episode featuring celebrity highlights such as Demi Moore, Timothée Chalamet, Cher, Denzel Washington, Nicole Kidman, Dwayne Johnson, Zoe Saldaña, and Hugh Grant. It'll serve as the final new show before the customary hiatus, with Norton expected to take the reins again when the show pursues its annual return, either late September or early October 2025.
Looking at Claudia Winkleman’s debut as guest host, she expressed her excitement and gratitude when she found out about the opportunity to fill Graham’s spot, humorously stating, "I apologise in advance!" During the last show, she made it clear how thrilling it was to step behind the iconic hosting chair, and it's expected she will deliver both charm and wit during the evening.
For the segment, Chris Pratt, who also stars as the face of some notable franchises, shared his experience with The Electric State, describing it as having "truly stunning imagery" and revealed he initially hesitated about joining the cast, attributing this to wanting extended family time after working nonstop. Pratt recounted the irresistible influence of his wife, saying, "When my wife read the script, she said I had to do it. She either really loves me or she actually just wanted me out of the house again!"
Fans can also look forward to conversations related to Saoirse-Monica Jackson’s proudshot career with Derry Girls, which was praised for its exploration of themes relevant to her life experiences. She remarked, “It’s such amazing show, and I am so proud of it and so proud of what Lisa (McGee) has achieved with it." Jackson’s appearances on the show will undoubtedly highlight her impactful storytelling abilities and promote her upcoming roles.
Before concluding, Robert Beckett’s comedic insights are expected to provide light-hearted moments as he shares anecdotes from his new series. Beckett's response to questions about why he named his current tour "Giraffe" certainly captures the comedic temperaments of viewers, illustrating how he relates his career and experiences humorously.
The Graham Norton Show continues to be beloved for its unique charm characterized by fun, unexpected stories and notable performances. This Friday’s episode promises no less, showcasing the remarkable talents of its guests whilst maintaining its humorous essence. Audiences are invited to tune in at 10:40 p.m. on BBC One to experience the shift of energy with Claudia Winkleman at the helm, promising entertainment well worth the watch!