Ever adept at attracting top-line talent, Graham welcomes Thor star Chris Hemsworth and director Ron Howard (Apollo 13) to his sofa. The duo plug cinematic epic In the Heart of the Sea, based on Nathaniel Philbrick's account of the real-life whaling expedition that inspired Moby-Dick. Lily Tomlin, tipped for an Oscar for her role in Grandma, also guests, as does comedian Kevin Bridges. Blake and Dame Shirley Bassey, who have collaborated on a new Christmas single, provide the musical entertainment.

Everyone loves sparks flying on the chatshow circus and the best chance of a meltdown tonight looks likely to come from the wayward Britney Spears as she drops by for a chinwag with Alan Carr.

Will he ask her opinion on twerking Miley Cyrus? Also making merry with Carr are Olympic hero Mo Farah and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, plus music from Jake Bugg, while Graham Norton has landed Paul McCartney, Natalie Portman, Chris Hemsworth, James Corden and Katy Perry.