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The Graham Norton Show
- TV chat show
- BBC One / BBC Two
- 2007 - 2024
- 494 episodes (31 series)
Comic chat show presented by Graham Norton. The biggest names in showbiz join the host on his sofa.
Episode menu
Series 31, Episode 2 - Bernie Taupin, Catherine Tate, Ashley Walters, Bill Bailey, Christine and the Queens
Further details
Bernie Taupin, talking about his memoir Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton and Me, and asked about being in the spotlight for a change, he says, "It is fabulous. It is tremendous fun." Adding, "I lived the same (rock and roll) lifestyle as all my contemporaries, with all the good stuff, but I lived it in the background."
Explaining his and Elton John's writing process, he says, "Elton always takes what he is given and never questions what the lyrics are actually about until later in the day when it is all recorded."
On the success of their songs, he says, "They definitely seem to have legs and keep coming back, which for me is the beauty of them. They seem to be timeless, which I really appreciate."
Revealing the meaning behind Candle in the Wind, he says, "I liked the title of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's book, which is a metaphor for a life snuffed out too soon. At the same time, I saw The Misfits and was fascinated by Montgomery Clift who died young. But then I wondered how many people would know who he was. Even though I didn't care for Marilyn Monroe, people would think her a much more fragile character and more indicative of the 'candle in the wind' so I am glad I went with her. Otherwise, history would have been very different."
And on the song being re-worked for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, he says, I re-wrote it in half an hour, it wasn't difficult. I've only actually heard it a couple of times - once at the funeral and once in the studio so don't remember a word of it!"
Catherine Tate talking about her role in West End play The Enfield Haunting, and asked if she believes the 1970s' news story of a child being possessed by a poltergeist is real, she says, "How do any of us know anything. It is more interesting keeping an open mind."
Asked if it is an 'edge of the seat' kind of play, she says, "We haven't started rehearsing yet but I believe there will be some really scary moments."
Ashley Walters, talking about his starring role in Top Boy: The Final Chapter, and recalling the show's beginnings, says, "Channel 4 was brave enough to put it on terrestrial TV when no one else would. When it ended, I couldn't forget about it so behind the scenes I continued the fight to bring it back. Eventually we were so lucky that Drake saw the YouTube clips, and about a year later Netflix wanted it." Adding, "I have such huge respect for what the show has done to open doors around the world."
Having just directed A Thousand Blows, a new period drama, and asked if directing is something he will do more of he says, "It's always been a love for me, and you can't act forever." Adding jokingly, "I also have eight children so I have to make sure I'm thinking ahead!"
Bill Bailey, talking about his new tour Thoughtifier, says, "It's sort of about AI and how the arts are under threat so it's a kind of clarion call for humanity, the human experience, the random nature of us as people, and the eccentric nature of creativity, which AI can't do."
Demonstrating his love of music and unusual instruments, Bill plays his own version of Candle in the Wind on a Turkish Saz.
Christine and the Queens performs To Be Honest live in the studio.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Friday 6th October 2023
- Time
- 10:40pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 50 minutes
Cast & crew
Graham Norton | Host / Presenter |
Bill Bailey | Guest |
Catherine Tate | Guest |
Héloïse Letissier (as Christine And The Queens) | Guest |
Bernie Taupin | Guest |
Ashley Walters | Guest |
Rob Colley | Writer |
Toby Baker | Director |
Jon Magnusson | Series Producer |
Pete Snell | Producer |
Graham Stuart | Executive Producer |
Catherine Strauss | Line Producer |
Perry Widdowson | Editor |
Chris Webster | Production Designer |
Chris Rigby | Lighting Designer |
Jonathan Whitehead (as Trellis) | Composer |
Kerry Hussain | Graphics |
Carlene Gearing | Make-up Designer |
Videos
Catherine Tate's embarrassing story
Catherine Tate is amongst those telling embarrassing stories.
Featuring: Graham Norton, Catherine Tate, Ashley Walters & Bill Bailey.
Bernie Taupin talks about Candle In The Wind
How Bernie Taupin and Elton John wrote Candle In The Wind for Princess Diana.
Featuring: Graham Norton & Bernie Taupin.
Ashley Walters raps 21 Seconds
Ashley Walters raps his iconic verse from So Solid Crew's 21 Seconds.
Featuring: Graham Norton & Ashley Walters.