Graham Norton reveals worst guest he has ever had on BBC chat show — and it is a Hollywood superstar

1. Graham Norton reveals worst guest he has ever had on BBC chat show — and it is a Hollywood superstar

Graham Norton reveals worst guest he has ever had on BBC chat show — and it is a Hollywood superstar

Graham Norton has revealed the worst guest he has ever had on his BBC chat show, which has been on the air for nearly 20 years.

The Irish broadcaster, 62, made the shock revelation at the Henley Literary Festival on Friday, describing the interview as “hell.”

And the acting A-lister in question is none other than Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg.

Wahlberg, 54, was invited on The Graham Norton Show in 2013 to promote the thriller Broken City.

Although Wahlberg did not appear drunk on arrival, Norton said “whatever was in his system” took over and “it was hell”.

And the acting A-lister in question is Mark Wahlberg (PA)

He said: “(Wahlberg) told me about his film, told me a couple of stories about stunts going wrong or whatever, and then it was only 15 minutes into the show when whatever the hell was in his system really took hold – and it was hell.”

Norton recalled how Wahlberg interrupted guests whenever they tried to chip into the conversation.

The show appeared to take a turn for the better, when fellow actor Michael Fassbender managed to discuss a story without the conversation being hijacked by Wahlberg.

Norton then explained: “I thought, ‘This one is going well – I wonder why’. And I looked over at Mark Wahlberg and he was asleep, so yeah, we don't encourage that.”

The Graham Norton Show, which launched in 2007, is now celebrating 18 years on screen, 550 episodes across 33 series and multiple awards.

Earlier this month, the BBC announced that it will be returning for three more series, with the 34th series set to air next year.

Whatever the hell was in his system really took hold

Graham Norton

Speaking about the announcement, Norton said: “Getting to host my own chat show is a huge pleasure as well as a privilege.

“I'm thrilled that the BBC are allowing me to continue for another three years.

“The whole team is looking forward to bringing the world’s brightest stars into the homes of the great British public!'”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC’s Head of Entertainment, said: “We are thrilled that The Graham Norton Show will remain a flagship part of the BBC's entertainment offering for another three series.

“Graham sets the gold standard for celebrity interviews and continues to attract the best global talent to his sofa, it's no wonder that the show remains so beloved by our audiences.”

Robbie Williams and Graham Norton on a recent show (PA)

Graham Stuart, Managing Director of So Television, added: “We began the Norton Talk Show journey in 1998 and have never felt like stopping. So happy the BBC feel the same way.”

Norton recently shared that he is “frazzled” after putting his homes in London and New York up for sale.

In May, it was revealed that Norton was listing his £4.95million Grade-II listed mansion in Wapping, after living there for 20 years.

Norton’s husband, Jonathan ‘Jono’ McLeod, is also looking to sell his Manhattan property, which he purchased in 2002 after loving its British feel.

He told the Wanging On with Graham Norton and Maria McErlane podcast: “I'm very frazzled. We are attempting to move. We are very lucky in that we are able to move slowly, bit by bit.

“But the house we are moving out of, which I didn't think had that much stuff in it.”