Comedian Graham Norton is arguably Ireland’s greatest gift to the UK, making his mark as a leading talk show host, voice of Eurovision and resident Drag Race judge.
Best known for his talk show The Graham Norton Show , it was one of a regular line of British talk shows in the late 2000s, first airing on BBC 2 in 2007, before being moved to the one-hour Friday evening slot on BBC 1.
With his fingers in many pies, we’re going to take a look at what Norton has going on when he’s not in the BAFTA-award winning host seat on the BBC.
The perfect host
Norton began his career as the host of Comic Relief, what would be the perfect intro for the joyous, often camp, persona that made him popular with audiences, without having to reveal his sexual orientation.
From Comic Relief, Norton moved on through the reality competition show circuit as host of Strictly Dance Fever and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? along with its spin-off series which saw contestants compete to land the leading role in The Sound of Music, Oliver! Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and The Wizard of Oz.
With an impressive list of hosting shows, it’s no wonder that Graham Norton was asked to host the Eurovision Song Contest, a role that has seen him rise to the drinking game levels of fame.
Perfecting his brand of the campy, yet sometimes biting host, Norton recently announced that he will be joining the Virgin Radio on the weekends this year.
“I’ve always found relationships hard. Whoever you’re going out with, they have that added complication of my fame, “ Norton told the Mirror after these claims came to light.
Balancing personal and professional life
Since leaving Ireland in pursuit and adventure, Norton recently said that it’s ironic how now he craves the opposite.
He has previously told the Mirror "work comes first.”
“But because I’ve worked so hard to get where I am, I continue to prioritise my job over other bits of my life. That’s probably very foolish, something I’ll live to regret.
“When I look back at my romantic history, I have to say it’s taken second place to my job. Perhaps I don’t expect my love affairs to last. Or it could just be that I have a low attention span.”
Fans learned recently that the recurring host of Drag Race UK was previously in a relationship with Kristian Seeber, better known as the current Rupaul’s Drag Race contestant, Tina Burner.
Norton was previously in a two-year relationship with Canadian software designer Trevor Patterson and Andrew Smith.
Patterson and Norton had a particularly bitter break up, with Patterson speaking on a talk show in the wake of their separation, claiming Norton "cared more about his labradoodle Bailey and terrier Madge.”
Gin exploits
The TV host is also a hugely successful businessman when he's not on our tv screens and is the face of a hugely popular gin.
The host's drink won gold and silver at the Gin Masters 2019 competition in London shortly after being introduced to the market..
In a blind tasting competition, Graham Norton’s Own Irish Gin scooped a gold medal, while his Graham Norton’s Own Pink Gin landed a silver award.
Created in collaboration with West Cork Distilleries, Skibbereen, Graham Norton’s Own Irish Gin is a combination of juniper and coriander, with hints of locally foraged rosehip, fuchsia petals and gooseberries rounding off the special blend of 12 botanicals.
