On tonight’s show (11th February), Graham welcomes global singing superstar Adele, Oscar-winning Brits Dame Helen Mirren, and Jim Broadbent, Bridgerton star Golda Rosheuvel, and singer-songwriter George Ezra.
Adele, asked if the diamond ring she is wearing means she is engaged, says, “If I was would I ever tell anyone if I was or wasn’t?”
Talking about her Brits success, she says, “I am very happy, really chuffed. In my speech I wanted to acknowledge other people and my son who is old enough now. I don’t share too much of him, but they are my little soulmates – Angelo and Simon. Our family is separated but we’re nailing it and doing a really, really good job.”
Asked about what happened in Vegas, she says, “I tried my hardest and really thought I would be able to pull something together in time. I regret that I kept going until that late in the day. It would have been a really half-arsed show and I can’t do that. People will see straight through me up on the stage and know I didn’t want to be doing it. I’ve never done anything like that in my life and I’m not going to start now.
“We are now working our arses off, but I don’t want to announce a new set of dates until I know everything will definitely be ready. The sooner I can announce the better, but I just can’t in case we are not ready in time. It is absolutely 100% happening this year. It has to happen this year because I’ve got plans for next year. Imagine if I have to cancel because I am having a baby!”
Asked if she will vanish again after Vegas, and if so, for how long, she says, “I definitely will but I am trying to make a conscious effort to stop being so anal with my privacy. I’m trying not to be two completely different versions of myself. It is exhausting switching on and off. I will be disappearing in terms of my music, but you might see a glimpse of me now and then and I won’t be in complete hiding. It takes me a while to recharge, and I would like to have more children – I only just feel like I’ve caught up with my sleep from nine years ago when I had my son.”
Helen and Jim chat about their new comedy crime drama The Duke.
Helen, talking about her role, says, “I swore to myself that I would never play a character that is described as the ‘long suffering,’ but she is, and she is a great character. This turned out to be Roger Michell’s last film. He was a great film director and I think it is a wonderful to have this as his last because it is very funny, but at the same time it has great emotional depth.”
Asked about spending lockdown in America with her husband Taylor Hackford, she says, “For the first time in 30 odd years of marriage we sat at the table opposite each other and had dinner together every night for six months – it was fantastic, brilliant.”
Jim, talking about the roles he is most known for, says, “It’s Only Fools and Horses more than anything else and it goes across the generations – kids who weren’t even alive when we made it say Slater is their favourite.”
Revealing Roy Slater wasn’t the part he was first offered in the iconic show, he says “Originally I was second choice for Del Boy. The first choice was Enn Reitel, but he didn’t fancy it and I couldn’t do it because I was doing a show in the West End. Luckily David Jason was available so my biggest contribution to British culture is not being available!”
Golda, talking about playing Queen Charlotte in hit romp Bridgerton, says, “She is back with a vengeance with her naughtiness and joy.” Adding, “I am very proud that we are representing diversity and reflecting the world we are living in. I have played the stereotypical black characters and have been proud to do that and represent my dad, but this time round I am celebrating my mother’s culture. Queen Charlotte is very much based on my mother and her heritage. Celebrating her is a joy and a blessing.”
Paying Helen a huge compliment, Golda says, “This woman is a genius. I am dyslexic and my research needs to be something other than reading, so I watched Helen play Queen Charlotte in the Madness of king George and her acting gave me the key to open the door to investigate the character I wanted to play.”
Asked if the new series is as raunchy as the first, she says, “It’s Bridgerton, it’s about love and the escapades that people get up to, so yes!”
George Ezra performs his new single Anyone for You live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough to sit in The Big Red Chair.
The Graham Norton Show, Friday 11th February BBC One 10.35pm and available on BBC iPlayer.
Next week (18th February) Graham’s guests include Andrew Garfield, Dawn French, Channing Tatum, Rob Beckett, and Natalie Imbruglia.
Graham Norton Picture: BBC/So Television
