BBC Bags Norton As Channel 4 Contract Expires
The BBC has signed an exclusive two and half year deal with Graham Norton that will see the risqué comedian and chat show host work to develop a range of new formats for BBC One.
Norton will join the BBC when the long-running contract to present his Channel 4 entertainment show comes to an end next April. He will work on ideas to help the corporation’s flagship BBC One reinvigorate its Saturday night line-up.
Controller of BBC One, Lorraine Heggessey, said: “We’ve made no secret of our admiration of Graham and I’m thrilled that he feels that BBC One can offer him the space to grow creatively. I’m convinced he will delight viewers of all ages at the heart of the Saturday night schedule.”
BBC controller of entertainment commissioning, Jane Lush, added: “It’s been my ambition to work with Graham ever since I took on the entertainment role and that’s been no secret. We’ve spent a lot of time and effort wooing Graham to the BBC and I’m delighted that the deal we’ve put in place for him suits us both so well.”
Norton first found fame as a stand-up comic in London and after appearing in Father Ted was given his own light entertainment show in 1997 by Channel 4. V Graham Norton now runs five nights a week and regularly attracts an average of around 2.5 million viewers to the channel (see Channel 4 Confirms Norton To Quit As Contract Expires).
Norton is currently trying to break into the US market and recently signed a television deal with Comedy Central that will see him present a new Friday night show from New York sometime in the new year.
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk
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