Graham Norton Says Filming New Madonna BBC Special Was ‘A Thrill’

Graham Norton has teased what we should expect from his upcoming interview with Madonna.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Graham was due to chat to the Queen of Pop about her new album Confessions II in a one-on-one special.

On Friday, this was confirmed to be the case, with the BBC announcing that the talk show host already recorded the interview at the London nightclub and performance space KOKO.

The venue holds special significance for Madonna as it was the site of her first ever UK show in 1983, and was also where she delivered a special performance in honour of her Confessions On A Dance Floor album back in 2005.

In an official press release, the BBC said: “The programme sees Graham meet with Madonna for an intimate, in-depth discussion about her incredible life and celebrated career.

“Ahead of the release of her much-anticipated new album Confessions II in July, this rare interview promises to be an unmissable television event.”

“During the interview, Madonna looks back on her early days in New York, reflects on her enduring relationship with the UK, discusses her most recent performance at Coachella, and much more,” the synopsis teased.

“The programme also features special guests, including an appearance from Madonna’s long-time collaborator Stuart Price. Together, they take Graham inside the world of Madonna’s new album, revealing the stories, inspirations, and creative process behind it.”

Graham enthused: “As a lifelong fan it is always a thrill to interview Madonna, but to meet her on the dance floor where she first performed in London over thirty years ago felt incredibly special.

“She remains a legendary pop icon who is still doing what she does best – getting people up to dance!”

Madonna has been a guest on Graham’s show twice before, first in 2012 while promoting her film and W.E., and later in 2019, ahead of the release of her most recent album Madame X.

While Graham has made no secret of the fact he’s a Madonna fan, he also admitted in 2024 that the Like A Prayer singer “doesn’t make it easy” in an interview setting.

Madonna & Graham will be shown on on Friday 26 June at 10.40pm on BBC One, and will also air on BBC Radio 2 on Saturday 4 July, the day after Madonna’s Confessions II album is released.