Graham Norton

He split opinion down the middle but, to our minds, Count Arthur Strong was the comedy hero of the year. So it's good to see the BBC Two sitcom and its star, Steve Delaney, up for three awards in the Comedy Awards. One of those is best new comedy programme, the winner of which is announced live in tonight's programme, ahead of next week's awards proper. Count Arthur is up against Plebs, Psychobitches and Cuckoo. Jonathan Ross is on hand for gong duties and to give a rundown of the other 14 prizes on offer. Familiar names abound, including Ant & Dec, Graham Norton, Miranda Hart and David Mitchell, plus there's welcome recognition for the genius of Getting On.

How the king or queen of comedy is crowned

Six nominees, including Sarah Millican, Jack Whitehall and Graham Norton, are up for the top comedy award. Who will win? The answer hinges on something I call the Neediness Index.

There's no Graham Norton to challenge the Chatty Man tonight, just the small matter of Children In Need to contend with. So there are no Hollywood stars sweeping into Carr's space, just a hat-trick of TV favourites, with Derren Brown previewing his new TV caper The Great Art Robbery, comedian Adam Hills having a giggle over his debut stand-up show, Happyism, and Russell Brand discussing his Messiah Complex, out soon on DVD. And with One Direction busy on BBC One, The Wanted seize their moment to provide the music.

The magazine show includes a special week of broadcasts of Junior Just a Minute. Nicholas Parsons is a kindly, paternal host, but please don't expect the same heights of humour as Paul Merton and Graham Norton.

Only Graham Norton could ever come up with such an eclectic range of guests - global megastar Lady Gaga, actor Jude Law, comedian Greg Davies and EastEnders' Dot Branning (or rather the actress who plays her, June Brown). Who will flirt with whom, we wonder?

Lady Gaga was on the show back in 2011, dressed in an extraordinary Bride of Frankenstein-type outfit. She was last spotted in a fur mask with a gold beak on a tour to promote her new album. Tabloid favourite Law talks about his new gangster film Dom Hemingway, Davies's current sitcom Man Down (9.30pm C4) is winning him laughs and acclaim, while Brown discusses her autobiography.

Graham Norton reveals secrets of 'chat choreography'

Graham Norton's biggest fear is pain. When I suggest this may be linked to the time when, still at drama school, he was brutally mugged, he offers a surprising answer.

Jonathan Ross guest list is as flat as a pancake

Jonathan Ross's guest list is as flat as a pancake while Graham Norton picks the cherries. Even Alan Carr's Chatty Man is putting Ross to shame as he is forced to plug ITV's mediocre shows.

Graham Norton says BBC pay-offs are an 'own goal'

Chat show host Graham Norton has criticised the BBC for severance pay-offs awarded to senior staff, calling them an "own goal" for the corporation.

BBC One's 'HIGNFY', 'Graham Norton' lead Friday ratings

BBC One dominated last night's (October 25) primetime TV ratings, with Have I Got News for You and The Graham Norton Show taking more than 20% of the audience.