Graham Norton pronounces substitute for BBC chat present
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Graham Norton is set to be replaced on his BBC One show while his comedy tour takes him overseas.
The Irish host is taking an extended break from his BBC chat show next month while he performs An Evening With Graham Norton in Australia.
Rather than halting production of the series, the corporation is pushing on with a replacement, and Claudia Winkleman will be overtaking Norton while he’s away.
The news will be announced in scenes set to air on The Graham Norton Show on Friday (10 January), in which Traitors host Winkleman is a guest alongside Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Billy Porter and Myles Smith.
After Norton revealed the news, Winkleman quipped: “I apologise in advance”.
This will be the second time Norton has been replaced on his own chat show, with Jack Whitehall sitting in the presenter’s chair in 2019 when the host was unable to fulfil his duties.
Winkleman previously replaced Norton in another stint when he quit BBC Radio 2 after more than 10 years of presenting the Saturday morning show in 2021.
The Strictly Come Dancing host said of her appointment: “I’m not often speechless but the chance to be with the wonderful Radio 2 listeners every Saturday has left me, quite frankly, gobsmacked.
“I hope my voice comes back in time for the first show as I can no longer simply rely on a fake tan and a fringe. There’s nobody I’d rather be with at the weekend, it’s a privilege and an honour.”
Speaking about the success of game show The Traitors on The Graham Norton Show, Winkleman said: “I am always very nervous that people aren’t watching and then incredibly grateful that they are.
“I feel about Traitors like people feel about an offspring – you’re so glad when people love it.
The BBC released the third series of the popular show on New Year’s Day. The reality TV show follows a group of contestants living together in a castle in the Scottish Highlands. Among them are a secret number of “Traitors”, who must conspire to eliminate others in the group without being detected.
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The final survivors have the chance of winning the life-changing sum of money. However, if a Traitor makes it through undetected, they will be able to claim the prize for themselves.
This year’s series so far is acclaimed as ever, with viewers hooked as the Faithfuls consistently mistake their fellow Faithfuls as Traitors.
