Tonight (February 28), will see a change in its usual line-up as Graham Norton himself will be absent from his chair, replaced by another well-known presenter.
On the second to last episode of the series airing on Friday, February 28, Claudia Winkleman, known for The Traitors and , will fill in for Graham for the first time ever. She will be hosting an array of high-profile guests in the studio.
Upon learning that Claudia, 53, will be taking over from Graham, 61, this week, fans of the show have suggested a temporary name change for the programme.
Among Claudia’s guests will be actor Chris Pratt discussing his new sci-fi comedy drama The Electric State, Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson who features in the new drama series This City is Ours, and comedian Rob Beckett who returns for a new series of panel game Rob Beckett’s Smart TV.
The Traitors’ Claudia Winkleman will be taking over from Graham (Image: BBC)
British actor Toby Jones, known for his role as Mr Bates in the real-life ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office and currently starring as Richard Burton’s inspirational teacher in Mr Burton, will also make an appearance. Singer-songwriter Rachel Chinouriri will perform her single All I Ever Asked.
The final episode on Friday, March 7, will showcase a compilation of highlights from the recent series, featuring stars including Demi Moore, Timothee Chalamet, Cher, Denzel Washington, Nicole Kidman, Dwayne Johnson, Zoe Saldana and Hugh Grant.
Fans are begging for a temporary rebrand of The Graham Norton Show, suggesting it be dubbed The Claudia Winkleman Show or simply The Queen during the week Claudia steps in for Graham. Enthusiastic viewers pitched the idea following the announcement of the change.
Claudia Winkleman will be in Graham’s chair this week (Image: Getty)
Graham broke the news on his January 10 show that he would miss the series finale. The Irish presenter, 61, is set to embark on an Australian tour in February.
Graham will entertain audiences in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne throughout March with his live show, An Evening with Graham Norton, marking his first Aussie tour. The show will include amusing anecdotes and career highlights, followed by a Q&A session.
Claudia, who was a guest when Graham made his announcement, jokingly responded to his thanks for her stepping in with: “I apologise in advance.”
She shared the couch with Myles Smith, Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, and Billy Porter, taking the opportunity to discuss the third series of The Traitors UK, which was being broadcast at the time.
Watch The Graham Norton Show tonight on One at 10.40pm or catch up on iPlayer