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Graham Norton

Graham Norton is the professional name of Graham William Walker, an Irish comedian, broadcaster, actor, and writer born in 1963.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Graham Norton is the professional name of Graham William Walker, an Irish comedian, broadcaster, actor, and writer born in 1963. He is best known for hosting the BBC chat show *The Graham Norton Show* since 2007 and for his long-running work on British television and radio.

Early life and background

Graham Norton was born Graham William Walker on 4 April 1963 in Clondalkin, Dublin, Ireland. Sources describe him as having studied in London at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Television career

Norton became widely known through a series of chat and entertainment shows, including *So Graham Norton* and *V Graham Norton*, before launching *The Graham Norton Show* in 2007. BBC material describes him as one of the best-known presenters on British television.

Awards and recognition

He has received multiple BAFTA TV Awards and other entertainment industry honours for his presenting work. Wikipedia and BBC sources note repeated recognition for his entertainment performances and chat show hosting.

Other work

Beyond television presenting, Norton has acted, written books, and worked in radio. He is also associated with BBC Eurovision commentary and other entertainment programming.

Key facts

  • He is a prominent Irish television presenter and comedian.
  • He has hosted *The Graham Norton Show* since 2007.
  • He has won multiple BAFTA TV Awards, including record wins for Best Entertainment Performance.
  • He has also worked as an actor, writer, and radio presenter.
  • He is known for an interview style that often uses innuendo and comic banter.
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Canadian context

Canadian audiences may know Graham Norton through international broadcasts of *The Graham Norton Show*, which has also aired in North America, and through his Eurovision-related coverage and celebrity interviews.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Graham Norton?
Graham Norton is the stage name of Graham William Walker, an Irish comedian, broadcaster, actor, and writer best known as a television talk show host.
What is Graham Norton best known for?
He is best known for hosting *The Graham Norton Show*, which began in 2007.
Where was Graham Norton born?
He was born in Clondalkin, Dublin, Ireland.
What awards has Graham Norton won?
He has won multiple BAFTA TV Awards, including record wins for Best Entertainment Performance.
What else has Graham Norton done besides television hosting?
He has worked as an actor, writer, and radio presenter, and has also been involved with Eurovision coverage.
Is Graham Norton Irish?
Yes. He is Irish by nationality and was born in Ireland.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Norton
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, career overview, and long-running hosting of *The Graham Norton Show*.
  2. BBC — https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/01_january/05/one_host.shtml
    Supports: His status as a well-known British television presenter, BBC association, and hosting roles.
  3. Screenonline — http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1199766/index.html
    Supports: Birth date, Dublin background, and description of his presenting style and career.
  4. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/graham-norton/bio/3030438155/
    Supports: Birth name, birth place, and professional roles.