Whether you love it or loathe it, the last 10 minutes of The Graham Norton Show - where muggles tell the nation an anecdote and risk the indignity of being flung backwards on the whim of the host - is a distinctly British talkshow tradition. There have been a whopping 500 red-chair stories, and this behind-the-scenes special sees repeats of Graham's favourites, and interviews with those who have faced the infamous flip.

Big Red Chair: tales that "changed lives"

The Big Red Chair is the ultimate advocate of over-sharing, and a one-off special in its honour tonight is well worth a watch, says Ellie Harrison.

Channel 4 seems to be positioning Alan Carr's Happy Hour as a challenger to Norton's Friday-evening chokehold. But the Chatty Man still has a way to go to match Norton's cheek and charm. Norton commands a higher calibre of guest, too; tonight, A-listers Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt will be discussing their imminent sci-fi film, Passengers, and, just possibly, recent events in their home country. Emeli Sandé brings the tunes.

Following famously fatuous blockbuster Batman v Superman, the more tantalising proposition of Batman versus Attenborough becomes semi-reality as Ben Affleck hits the Norton sofa to promote action thriller The Accountant, while David Attenborough arrives to discuss keenly anticipated natural history sequel Planet Earth 2. Elsewhere, Claire Foy and Matt Smith reveal the truth behind playing the Queen and Prince Philip.

Graham Norton's dream guests

"My answer used to be Brad [Pitt] and Angelina [Jolie], but I don't think that is happening now," he told us, referring to Brangelina's bombshell divorce filing last month.

Graham Norton: 'My chat show pays for itself'

"Most of the big earners pay their way. My show is shown in a bunch of countries and pays for itself."

Graham Norton: I'm not friends with anybody famous

Talk turns to the government's continual calling for the Beeb to publish the salary details of its best-paid stars. "It will happen and I won't be pleased," sighs Graham. "And also, it isn't going to be that accurate, because a lot of people are on company payrolls, others are freelance and others are half and half. I'm not sure how I'm paid."

Why can't the UK do late night comedy?

Chat shows are thriving in the US, with James Corden leading the viral charge. Yet British versions keep on biting the dust.

Norton introduces some of his favourite moments from the past 14 shows in this series closer, featuring the usual roster of A-listers; the likes of Helen Mirren, Russell Crowe and Samuel L Jackson. Given his guests' extraordinary willingness to bare their souls and more, we may well be treated again to Dame Joan Collins opening up about her late sister or Hugh Grant breezily revealing how many of his leading ladies couldn't stand him.