Since its debut in 2007, The Graham Norton Show has become a beloved late-night institution. Hosted by the charismatic Irish comedian Graham Norton, this talk show stands out for its relaxed and informal style, fostering some of the most entertaining and side-splitting conversations imaginable. Norton possesses a unique talent for encouraging his guests to open up, revealing fascinating and often surprising facets of their personalities that are rarely seen by the public. This creates an atmosphere where even the most polished celebrities can let their guard down and share their vulnerabilities, making for truly captivating television.
One of the aspects I find most delightful about the show is the remarkable and often unexpected stories Norton elicits from his guests. From cringe-worthy encounters with fans to embarrassing mishaps on set, the guests on The Graham Norton Show have the opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics freely. Interestingly, many of them end up sharing spooky tales that could send chills down anyone’s spine. Over the years, numerous high-profile personalities have graced the iconic red couch, recounting eerie stories that keep both the audience and Norton on the edge of their seats. One moment, the conversation might veer into absurdity, and the next, everyone is rapt in attention as a ghostly tale unfolds. The unpredictability of the show is what truly makes it a standout experience for viewers.
10
Helena Bonham Carter Channels Princess Margaret’s Spirit
Season 26
Helena Bonham Carter took on the pivotal role of Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II?s younger sister, in The Crown Seasons 3 and 4. During her captivating appearance on The Graham Norton Show alongside Olivia Coleman, Chadwick Boseman, Richard Ayoade, and Niall Horan, the seasoned actress shared a remarkable story about how she was inspired to embody Princess Margaret?quite literally! In one of the most spine-tingling moments of this iconic talk show, Carter revealed that she had a profound experience where Princess Margaret’s ghost manifested and conveyed that she was destined to portray her in the Netflix series. During a session with a psychic friend, Carter recounted that she felt the presence of the late princess.
At the time, Carter was in the running for the role, and she seized the moment to inquire of the princess?s spirit whether she should accept the opportunity. Carter recalled that Princess Margaret affirmed she was the superior choice over the ?other actor.? However, Carter candidly admitted that she was unaware of who else the producers were considering. The actress reminisced about a real-life encounter with Princess Margaret during her lifetime, noting that the ghost?s feedback perfectly aligned with the late royal?s character. ?She had a knack for complimenting you while simultaneously putting you down,? Carter shared. Intriguingly, the spirit of Margaret had one final piece of advice for Carter: to ensure she ?got the smoking right? when she ultimately took on the role.
9
Cate Blanchett?s Eerie Encounter with a Haunted Bedroom
Season 11
Ocean?s 8 star Cate Blanchett graced the stage of The Graham Norton Show in 2012 alongside a stellar lineup including Ewan McGregor, Michael Sheen, Matt Lucas, and Keane. Amid the light-hearted banter, the conversation took a haunting turn as Blanchett began sharing an unsettling experience about her haunted bedroom. Norton prompted this engaging tale by asking Blanchett to recount her days as a drama student, during which she rented a remarkably inexpensive place in Sydney to save costs. Blanchett recollected that her shared residence was located directly beneath a towering smokestack, explaining why the rent was so low. She humorously remarked that every resident seemed to develop asthma due to the constant exposure to the noxious fumes.
However, the chilling aspect of her story didn?t end there. Blanchett revealed that a murder had occurred in her very bedroom. What makes this revelation even more bizarre is how she discovered it. The actress recounted receiving a DVD of Australia?s Most Wanted, which featured an episode illustrating a man climbing through what unmistakably looked like her window to strangle a woman in her own bed. Blanchett admitted that she attempted to reach out to the spirit of the murdered woman on numerous occasions, seeking closure. However, it wasn?t until she was on the brink of moving out that she finally heard a voice call her name as she exited the door, sending chills down her spine.
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Dominic West?s Spine-Chilling Poltergeist Experience
Season 31
The Crown<em> </em>star Dominic West, who took on the role of King Charles III in the Netflix series, unwrapped a spooky ghost story during his stint on The Graham Norton Show. Prepare yourself, as this is one of the most outrageous tales shared on the show. West recounted the day he purchased a historic 300-year-old house in Hoxton that had remained vacant for years. To add to the eeriness, the property was situated adjacent to a former plague pit where numerous bodies were interred long ago. Unsurprisingly, upon moving into this eerie abode, West began to experience a pervasive ?weird feeling? throughout the house.
As it turned out, West?s friend invited another guest to stay at the house, and that?s when the poltergeist activity escalated, with objects mysteriously flying about. This unsettling phenomenon prompted the actor to seek an exorcism to rid the house of the malevolent spirit. In his quest to eliminate the ghostly presence, West dove into research on traditional exorcism methods and even reached out to the Catholic Church for guidance. He discovered that such matters required approval from a Bishop and learned that the Vatican has an office dedicated to investigating hauntings. However, finding these formalities cumbersome, West consulted a paranormal expert who provided an unconventional solution: throw a children’s party. The expert advised, ?Get a load of kids in there, and it settles the spirit, cheers everything up.? Surprisingly, after hosting the party, the poltergeist activity ceased completely.
7
Alan Carr’s Hilarious Ghost Encounter
Season 31
Alan Carr made a memorable appearance on the same episode of The Graham Norton Show as Dominic West in January 2024, where he recounted his own peculiar ghostly experience. The English comedian claimed that his home was haunted and that he had encountered a series of bizarre occurrences involving objects inexplicably flying around. Carr shared that his family had purchased an old residence and renovated it, but they hadn?t considered the lingering spirits that might still inhabit the place. He reminisced about an incident while attempting to film a video in the house, during which the lights began flickering erratically on their own. Frustrated, he called out for the ghost to stop bothering him, only for a wine bottle to come hurling through the room.
On another occasion, Carr and his mother decided to experiment with a Ouija board following the passing of his father, hoping to connect with his spirit. However, the outcome was far from what they anticipated. When Carr inquired if the spirit had any messages for him, the board spelled out the letters ?H-O-M-O,? inadvertently outing Carr?s sexuality. Thankfully, he revealed that his mother had no comprehension of what it meant, leading to a comical yet uncomfortable moment.
6
Sir Ian McKellen Mistaken for the Ghost of Michael Gambon
Season 31
During his appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Ian McKellen, known for his role in The Lord of the Rings, discussed his latest theatrical endeavor, Player Kings, a reimagining of Shakespeare?s Henry IV plays. During this spirited discussion, the topic arose regarding McKellen?s striking resemblance to the late Michael Gambon, famous for his portrayal of Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films.
McKellen recounted a peculiar encounter while walking home when he heard two young women calling his name. When he turned around, they inquired whether he was Michael Gambon. He replied, ?Michael Gambon is dead.? The women, undeterred, responded, ?Yes, we know. But are you him?? They continued to scrutinize him, leading McKellen to suspect that they genuinely believed he was the ghost of the late actor. Later, the woman clarified the story to The Standard, explaining that she and her friend were intoxicated and thought they were interacting with a ghost, solely based on McKellen?s uncanny resemblance to Gambon. For them, it certainly became a dramatic and terrifying moment.
5
Lolly Adefope’s Spine-Chilling Tale of Severed Heads
Season 28
English comedian and actress Lolly Adefope made a memorable appearance on The Graham Norton Show in 2020, sharing a wildly entertaining and chilling story. While discussing her work on the British sitcom Ghosts, she passionately claimed that the set was haunted. The show centers around a young couple who inherits a family estate, only to discover that their renovations disturb the supernatural inhabitants of the property. Although the show maintains a light-hearted tone, Adefope revealed that the filming experience was filled with eerie moments.
According to her, an unsettling discovery was made when a group of crew members stumbled upon severed heads in the attic of the location where they were filming. Adefope clarified that this incident occurred in the 16th century, long before Ghosts was filmed there. Nevertheless, the haunting nature of the discovery remained significant. The actress recalled the chilling belief that these heads belonged to individuals who met their untimely demise through beheading for undisclosed reasons. This story added a dramatic flair to the show?s comedic premise, showcasing the fine line between humor and horror.
4
Robbie Williams? Bone-Chilling Encounter in a Haunted Castle
Season 20
English singer Robbie Williams shared a riveting tale while seated on the red couch alongside Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, and Daniel Radcliffe. As he recounted his story, it became evident that he was aware of the potential repercussions that could arise from his revelations. Williams narrated how he had rented a castle in order to rehearse for his upcoming tour, which is already an unusual choice, as few people opt to rent castles for such purposes. After a long and exhausting day, he made his way to his room, ready to rest. As he lay on his bed, he sensed a presence entering his room.
When he opened his eyes, he was startled to see a woman cleaning his room, an unusual sight indeed. What made the encounter even stranger was that she wore headphones connected to an archaic-looking cassette player, leaving the singer bewildered. He remembered acknowledging the woman?s presence in his groggy state. In a surprising twist, she jested about his Calvin Klein boxers, adding a humorous yet disconcerting element to the interaction. The woman then proposed to perform a sexual act on him, and to his astonishment, Williams agreed. After her departure, he mentioned the peculiar cleaning lady to the castle?s owner. To his shock, the owner revealed that they had no cleaning staff whatsoever. This revelation left Williams feeling utterly terrified. However, three years later, while discussing the incident with his bandmates, his guitarist informed him that
