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Graham Norton has revealed the celebrity who he claims “wasn’t a great guest” on his chat show.

Norton has interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars on The Graham Norton Show, which he has hosted since 2007.

The series started on BBC Two before moving to BBC One in 2010, where it succeeded Jonathan Ross’s talk show. Before that, the Irish presenter hosted V Graham Norton on Channel 4.

Over the years, Norton, who previously opened up about accidentally insulting Oscar winner Jessica Chastain on the show, has remained tight-lipped when it comes to discussing his favourite guest – though the host did once call film producer Harvey Weinstein, now a convicted rapist, the “worst” person he’s interviewed.

He’s since named the star he thought was not an effective guest, suggesting it was due to nerves.

Speaking to News.com.au, Norton, 61, said that Kill Bill and Splash! actor Daryl Hannah “wasn’t a great guest” – but instead of being due to “diva” behaviour, it was purely down to anxiety on her part.

Norton said that he had been warned that Hannah was not a fan of chat shows, highlighting a rumour that she was said to have fainted during an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.

“So she did our show and, bless her, she wasn’t a great guest,” the host explained, adding: “But what I loved was, because she got through it, afterwards she was high as a kite. She really felt like she’d done an amazing thing. And I was thrilled for her that she had gotten through it. It was still a very poor show.’

Hannah appeared on the first series of V Graham Norton in 2002 – and was the sole guest.

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Norton said that another guest he struggled with was Mickey Rourke, describing the Wrestler actor as “hard work” due to the fact he had drunk half a bottle of Jack Daniels upon his arrival to the Graham Norton Show studios.

“I just happened to be standing there when he got out of the car and he was holding a bottle of Jack Daniels, which is already worrying.

“But then we noticed the bottle of Jack Daniels was half-empty. It soon became very clear where that Jack Daniels had gone.”

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Norton explained: “Those nights are quite hard work where you’re just trying to keep it together and get to the finishing line.” Rourke appeared on the series in 2008 alongside Jessica Biel and Martha Wainwright.

The host also recollected Madonna being “a bit rude” to two fans who presented the singer with two dolls of herself when she appeared alongside Andrea Riseborough and James D’Arcy in 2012.

‘I saw them after the show and said, ‘Oh, I’m sorry she was a bit rude about the dolls.’ But they couldn’t have been happier. Their diva had behaved in exactly the way they wanted her to.”

Norton is currently promoting what will be his first ever live tour of Australia, which is scheduled to take place in March.

A FIRST Dates singleton compared her match to a cannibal in awkward scenes.

The Channel 4 series continues tonight with another batch of singletons ready to mingle.

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During the show – which airs at 10pm – viewers will be introduced to 28-year-old tree hugger Nathan.

Bosses pair the naturist with a Hare Krishna believer called Love.

As the First Date progresses, their cultural differences start to be blatantly clear.

26-year-old Love is left irked when Nathan subtly mentions that he is a meat eater.

“I’ve gone through steps of vegetarianism. I’ve tried too many times and failed too many times to know that I don’t think I could stick to a vegetarian [lifestyle].”

Love is left unimpressed, she replies: “If you have to eat meat at least wait until they die.

“Then there’s no problem, there’s no soul.

“But as long as the soul is in there, that’s a pretty large repercussion.”

Looking more uncomfortable, Nathan jokes: “I need to stop getting Aldi salami.

“That’s my weakness I gotta admit, cure pork.”

Pointing across the restaurant, Love snaps: “Yeah, why not eat human as well?”

First Dates continues tonight at 10pm on Channel 4.

First Dates cast

Fred Sirieix

Fred is the charismatic French maître d’hôtel who hosts First Dates. He has a rich background in the hospitality industry, with over 30 years of experience. Fred has been part of the reality show since 2015 and his charming personality helps to put punters going on the dates at ease.

Merlin Griffiths

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Merlin is the bartender on First Dates. His friendly presence and expert mixology skills contribute to the show’s warm atmosphere. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Merlin was in the bar industry for over two decades before offering his services to the Channel 4 series. Outside of First Dates, Merlin also owns and operates his own bar.

Cici Coleman

Cici is the show’s outgoing waitress. She trained as an actress before joining the cast of First Dates, which lends theatrical flair to her role. Her ability to make guests feel at ease, coupled with her genuine interest in their stories, has endeared her to viewers. Outside of her work on First Dates, Cici continues to pursue her passion for acting and fitness, often sharing insights into her life and career on social media.

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The British comedian and TV host Romesh Ranganathan has said that he used to “fantasise” about suicide and “came very close” to taking his own life.

In a moving interview, Ranganathan opened up losing a friend to suicide, which partly inspired him to start working with the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably, aka Calm, who he ran the London Marathon for in April.

The comic got news that his friend had died when he was making The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan in Ethiopia where he was off grid for 48 hours. The 46-year-old: “As we were driving back I got reception and my phone started blowing up. The first message read, ‘I can’t believe what’s happened.’ I thought, ‘Are they talking about someone else? Because it can’t be the man I know.’”

Ranganathan said that he felt like he’d let his friend down which compelled him to contact Calm but also for his own wellbeing. “On more than one occasion, I have felt suicidal,” the comedian told The Times.

He added “Somebody told me it was ideation. I used to fantasise about it. I’d be feeling so stressed out. The idea of those feelings disappearing felt tempting. The best way I can describe it is it felt like I was about to book a great holiday and I wouldn’t feel like this any more.”

The native of Crawley in West Sussex, who previously worked as a maths teacher, says that he first started getting suicidal thoughts as a teenager after his father was sent to prison for “some sort of fraud”.

This resulted in his mother sending her son to therapy, concerned that he was “mad” which only helped amplify the stereotypes surrounding mental health.

“I’m not thinking about taking my life at the moment but I know that if I didn’t look after myself in the right way, it’s something I could go back to,” adds Ranganathan. “Having suicidal thoughts is a bit like being an ex-smoker and knowing you can have a cigarette. There’s always a danger that you can go back. It’s never going to completely go.”

Ranganathan now credits exercise and his friend and Wolf and Owl podcast host Tom Davis for improving his mood. “What’s good about that is knowing this isn’t some ethereal, weird thing that’s causing this problem. I can fix it. That’s a good place to be,” he says.

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Ranganathan took over from Claudia Winkleman’s popular Radio 2 slot earlier this year but promised listeners that he would not be “revolutionising Radio 2”.

Ranganathan also stars in his BBC sitcom Avoidance and hosts BBC Two quiz showThe Weakest Link as well as A League of Their Own on Sky.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

A SECOND series of new murder mystery drama Ludwig is set to be confirmed after it was dubbed “the best series from the BBC in years” by fans. 

David Mitchell stars in Ludwig as the titular character – a man who lives a very solitary life until his brother suddenly disappears and he becomes embroiled in a shocking mystery. 

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According to a source close to the show, BBC bosses are thrilled with Ludwig’s initial ratings and reviews, so it won’t be long before series two is officially given the green light.

“There have been a lot of noises about a second series and I would be absolutely gobsmacked if it didn’t come back,” the source said to the Mirror.

They added: “Everyone involved at the BBC is delighted with how well the show has done. It’s given them the perfect detective drama, a fresh take on a classic genre.”

This has been reflected in the “through the roof” ratings, with the show being in BBC iPlayer’s Top 10 since it launched. 

The insider added: “And it’s not just the ratings that everyone is thrilled with, it’s the rave reviews as well, in the press and on social media. 

“You only have to read the comments, with fans demanding more episodes, to know that this will absolutely come back. Hopefully, the BBC will make the official announcement before the end of the first season.”

David, who executive produces Ludwig, also teased that a second run was on the cards. 

He said: “Yes, that’s certainly our hope that it will carry on. Fingers crossed. Of course, you just hope that people enjoy the first series.” 

Ludwig returned to screens on Wednesday night for its dramatic third instalment, but all six episodes of the series are already available to stream on iPlayer, so fans know that the show ends with a massive plot cliffhanger that primes for another run.

In the drama, Peep Show star David plays awkward puzzle setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, whose solitary life is upended when his identical twin, a police detective, vanishes. 

John quickly becomes embroiled in this ongoing mystery as his sister-in-law Lucy, played by Line Of Duty and Motherland star Anna Maxwell Martin, comes to him for help. She asks him to assume his brother’s identity in order to find out what happened. 

In the series finale, a big plot twist about the whereabouts of John’s brother is revealed – just as John and Lucy uncover a massive clue.

Alongside David and Anna, the series stars Dipo Ola as DI Russell Carter, Izuka Hoyle as DS Alice Finch, Gerran Howell as DC Simon Evans, Dorothy Atkinson as DCS Carol Shaw, Dylan Hughes as Henry Betts-Taylor, Sophie Willan as Holly Pinder and Ralph Ineson as Chief Constable Ziegler. 

BBC crime dramas

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The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.

Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.

• Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.

• Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.

• Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.

• Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.

• Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.

• Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.

• Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.

• Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.

• Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.

• Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.

• Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.

• The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.

• Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.

• Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.

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Ludwig airs on BBC One on Wednesdays at 9pm and is available to stream on iPlayer.

PENNY Branning decides to quit Walford as a shock betrayal is revealed in EastEnders.

The character – played by Kitty Castledine – has had a difficult few months after being involved in the club crush horror at Peggy’s.

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Penny was desperate to prove she could host a successful club night after taking Chelsea Fox’s job, but didn’t realise Chelsea had advertised more tickets than were available and safe to sell as part of her plans for revenge.

It meant that the crowds piled in and when it became overcrowded, people were crushed and injured.

This included Penny’s half-sister Amy Mitchell, who had covertly got into the club despite being under age.

A paramedic told her dad Jack that she had suffered a cardiac arrest, and she was placed in a coma once at the hospital.

When she was later brought round, Amy was devastated to learn what had happened to her and that she also had a broken pelvis.

Now in upcoming EastEnders episodes, Amy continues to struggle.

At the hospital, Amy gets upset at the rate of her recovery and an argument between Penny and Amy breaks out.

Later, Penny makes the decision to leave Walford, and arrives at No.27 as Jack and Denise try to buoy Amy up.

As the situation escalates between the Brannings and Penny, Denise finally reveals the truth – Chelsea was to blame for the crush.

Will this stop Penny from leaving?

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EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.

TRANSFORMERS ONE

(PG), 104 mins

★★★☆☆

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AS befits a franchise about shape-shifting robots, Transformers has had more alternate incarnations than anyone cares to remember.

And in the fortieth year since the original Eighties’ cartoon, we have yet another version.

It shares fan-favourite characters and story elements with predecessors but this is a rebooted universe, so you don’t need to have watched the originals or — mercifully — the patience-sapping live-action saga to enjoy this take by director Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4).

Serving up a mix of moralising and merchandising yes, it does frequently feel like it’s teeing things up to flog you some more plastic stuff this Christmas.

But the pacey origins animation is also pretty entertaining.

Unpacking the roots of the rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron, ‘One’ finally reveals the reason the former pals became enemies and changed the course of planet Cybertron.

We see their relationship begin as best-buddy mining automatons, then titled Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry).

Both lowly Metallics aspire to bigger things but a joyride in the annual Iacon 5k race to prove a point about their capabilities backfires and gets them banished to scrapheap-sifting duties.

Then our fist-bumping heroes embark on a mission to locate the missing Matrix of Leadership, where they uncover the unsavoury truth about corrupt current ruler Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm).

The discovery that his idolised leader is a crook is the catalyst for D-16 to turn into red-eyed franchise villain.

In a graveyard of Primes, revived Alpha Trion (Laurence Fishburne) helps them undergo their glow-up into true transformers.

Our bots are now primary-coloured giants, with the power to change into cars. But their friendship is over.

A male-dominated cast is lightened by the inclusion of pithy, purple-hued Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson).

And there is welcome humour from Bumblebee, nee B-12 (Keegan-Michael Key) as self-styled ‘Bad-Ass-a-tron’.

The explanation for the kind, thoughtful D-16’s personality change into the aggressive, destructive, evil-eyed Megatron is ultimately a bit woolly.

And visuals can look clunky and old fashioned.

But it’s fundamental Autobot versus Decepticons good fun — in disguise.

SALEM’S LOT

(15) 114mins   

★★★☆☆

STEPHEN King’s classic vampire novel, Salem’s Lot, has been given a terrifying – if disjointed – makeover.

Lewis Pullman stars as Ben Mears, a writer returning to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot to find it terrorised by a vampire.

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Teaming up with new love interest Susan (Makenzie Leigh), amiable school teacher Matt (a fantastic turn by Bill Camp) and the town’s no nonsense doctor (Alfre Woodard), Ben fights to save Salem’s Lot from the evil forces of the undead.

The stunning visuals give a creepy 70s vibe and the film delivers some spine-chilling moments, including a tense basement scene and a nail-biting finale at a drive-in cinema.

However, pacing problems hold it back.

At times it really felt like entire chapters of the book were missing, making the plot feel rushed and incomplete.

While it might not be the best adaptation of one of King’s most loved novels, Salem’s Lot is a solid horror flick that manages to avoid the usual pitfalls of the genre.

It’s familiar King territory – creepy small town, sinister evil, and boneheaded locals – and fans will lap it up.

TERRIFIER 3

(18) 125mins

★★★☆☆

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DIRECTOR Damien Leone’s latest instalment in the Terrifier franchise delivers a gruesome Christmas horror experience with plenty of blood and gore.

The iconic and terrifying killer, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton), returns to spread chaos, terror and a whole lot of festive fear.

Returning to face Art once again, Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) is still haunted by the horrors of Terrifier 2.

As the festive season approaches, a showdown with her murderous nemesis seems inevitable.

Terrifier 3 is as nasty and blood-soaked as they come.

There’s nothing subtle or meaningful here, and fans of the cult franchise won’t expect anything less.

Leone makes each gruesome kill feel personal and impactful, always with a tongue firmly in cheek. It’s no secret the Terrifier franchise isn’t known for its complex plot or deep character development.

Those familiar with these films primarily come for the over-the-top gore, brutal kills and silly antics.

With brilliantly crafted practical effects that hark back to horror’s Eighties heyday, Terrifier 3 does exactly what’s on the tin.