Graham Norton signs with the BBC

The BBC has finally succeeded in its aim of poaching Graham Norton from Channel 4 today.

The Irish entertainer will join the corporation after his current C4 contract ends in April 2004 to work on "new ideas" for BBC One's Saturday night lineup.

"We've made no secret of our admiration of Graham and I'm thrilled that he feels that BBC One can offer him the space to grow creatively," said BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey. "I'm convinced he will delight viewers of all ages at the heart of the Saturday night schedule."

Norton's nightly C4 chat show, V Graham Norton, is being replaced by a new US-based weekly show from January, which will run through to April. After that he is committed to a 13-week show for US network Comedy Central, an arrangement the BBC said it would honour.

Channel 4's director of television Kevin Lygo said that Norton had been discussing his departure with the channel for some time.

"Both sides agree it would be very difficult to top what Graham has already achieved at Channel 4," said Lygo. "It therefore feels like the right time for him to be moving on and he goes with our best wishes and heartfelt thanks for everything he’s done for the channel."

Irish presenter Graham Norton has signed an exclusive deal with the BBC to develop ideas for Saturday night TV.
The chat show host will join BBC One from Channel 4 in April 2004.

"I'm convinced he will delight viewers of all ages at the heart of the Saturday night schedule," said BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey.

Norton, who has won a clutch of entertainment awards, has also recently signed a deal with US cable channel Comedy Network for a chat show.

Norton first found cult fame as a stand-up comic in London, before playing Father Noel Furlong in hit comedy Father Ted.

Channel 4 nurtured his talent, giving him his own irreverent chat show in 1997 which now runs five nights a week.

Among his awards haul are four Baftas, six British Comedy Awards and an International Emmy.


Jane Lush, BBC controller of entertainment commissioning, said: "It's been my ambition to work with Graham ever since I took on the entertainment role and that's been no secret.

"We've spent a lot of time and effort wooing Graham to the BBC and I'm delighted that the deal we've put in place for him suits us both so well."

Be funny if he was on BBC America aswell!

Am I the only one who thinks Rod's signature is a bit OTT?

Well, he stopped short of the "swoosh" sound effect, but you know how he likes to hover over his keyboard in case a news story requires to be, er, broken.

Jus' kiddin' Mr S.

I'm convinced he will delight viewers of all ages at the heart of the Saturday night schedule