Graham Norton, the longtime host of the Eurovision Song Contest for the BBC, has revealed why he never shares a flight home with the United Kingdom’s act. The 63-year-old presenter, who first took over the hosting duties in 2009 following the death of Terry Wogan, has become as synonymous with the competition as his predecessor. With the grand final set to take place tonight in Vienna, Graham shared some of the wisdom he has gained over the years.
Top Tip for Future Hosts
In an interview with The Guardian, the Graham Norton Show star offered his number one piece of advice for anyone who might eventually succeed him. He explained: ‘The big thing I have learned is to find out what plane the UK act is getting home – and to be on a different one.’ He elaborated, saying: ‘It’s a long time to spend with someone who’s probably not very happy. There’s only so many positives you can think up to say – and you’ve probably said them all before you’ve even checked in.’
Challenges of the Role
Graham’s advice comes from years of experience, as the UK has frequently languished at the bottom of the leaderboard during his tenure. The only exception was 2022, when Sam Ryder finished in second place with his song Space Man. This year, the UK is represented by Sam Battle, performing under the name Look Mum No Computer, with the synth anthem Eins, Zwei, Drei. Bookmakers have given him dismal odds of 100/1, and the song has divided fans, with some calling it ‘genius’ and others ‘atrocious.’
Controversy and Technical Issues
The 2026 competition has been plagued by controversy, drama, and technical difficulties. The continued inclusion of Israel has led to boycotts from several countries, including Iceland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain, who are not participating. Irish broadcaster RTÉ will instead air a Eurovision-themed episode of the sitcom Father Ted, a show in which Graham once appeared as the hyperactive priest Noel Furlong. Last night’s rehearsals were disrupted by a technical mishap that forced organizers to restart the show abruptly. Additionally, Sam Battle struggled as crowds reportedly refused to clap during his performance, though he was later adopted by the Danish delegates.
No Plans to Retire
Despite the challenges, Graham has no immediate plans to step away from his role. He joked: ‘I will see what happens. I can still hold my wee in for four hours – you don’t get wee breaks. So, I think my retirement will be based on my bladder.’ The Eurovision Song Contest final airs at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer tonight.
