Graham Norton 'makes drastic career change away from BBC chat show' after radio exit

Chat show sensation Graham Norton is reportedly trying out a new role in the film industry by co-authoring and backing a forthcoming romantic comedy. Norton's company So Television will team up with Tiger Mountain production to produce the flick with Bridget Jones' helmsman, Dan Mazer, and shooting is due to commence towards the end of the year.

An insider told The Mirror: "The film has been financed by Sky and will be shot in Ireland in July and August. It has not been an easy road to get to this point, and the team at So, who are learning as they go, have found getting movies made is much harder than they expected.

"But this is a really exciting project and everyone has high hopes for it now the ball is really rolling. Talks are ongoing with some high-profile actors who would really make the script come alive." This move towards cinema follows the conversion of Norton's novel titled Holding being made into an ITV series last year, featuring Conleth Hill and Siobhan McSweeney.

Although Graham himself did not produce the show based in his native Dublin, he requested the creative team to tone down on the "overt" Irish element. The host previously addressed the issue, saying: "Whenever I felt it was too Irish, I was going, 'No. You've got Irish actors, you're filming in West Cork. It's Irish enough... we get it'."

Graham is no stranger to film industry, having appeared in cameo roles as himself in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, the 2020 comedy The Stand In and this year's hit romantic comedy The Idea of You. He also voiced one of the characters in Pixar's 2020 animated movie Soul.

His latest venture comes following his departure from his Virgin Radio programme after 13 years. Addressing his exit with listeners back in February, he said he desired to have his "weekends back".

Graham added: "I’ve had a brilliant time here with Maria, Show Chef Martha along with my guests and the rest of the team on the Graham Norton Radio Show with Waitrose, but I am looking forward to having my weekends off for the first time in 13 years!"

Despite giving up his regular weekend slot, his positive parting words at the time assured fans that it is merely a break.

He quipped: "It’s certainly not a goodbye, I’ll still be popping up here from time to time on Virgin Radio, and I’m looking forward to returning when I do."

Angela Scanlon, a familiar voice on Virgin Radio and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, has since taken over his slot.

Ahead of replacing Graham, she said: “I know how many of you have dreamt about waking up to my husky dulcet tones, well dreams come true.

“I’ll be getting up with you every weekend on Virgin Radio and I am inappropriately excited. Stick the kettle on!”

Graham has continued to work on his long-running self-titled show on the BBC, which first came to screens in 2007.

Back in February, Graham's executive producer addressed speculation that he could be retiring after his Virgin Radio exit.

He told Express.co.uk: "Ultimately, everything is Graham Norton's decision.

"If he decided that he didn't want to do it tomorrow, we wouldn't do it tomorrow - but he's not going to [bow out]. We're under contract, and we're under contract for quite a lengthy period of time.

"He's [also] really enjoying it. If the shows weren't as good as they used to be, I'm sure he would review it, but our job is to make sure that doesn't happen." He added proudly: "We've never done a bad show."