Graham Norton Defends Terry Wogan’s Eurovision Hosting Style

Veteran host Terry Wogan was recently slammed for shattering the Eurovision contest’s credibility with his jokey presenting style.

But his replacement Graham Norton has defended Tel’s inimitable style and revealed he plans to toast the broadcaster’s memory at next month’s final.

Norton, below, who took over from Wogan in 2008, said: “When I do the commentary I still hear him in my head.”

Swedish producer Christer Bjorkman said mickeytaking by Sir Terry, who died aged 77 in January had shattered the show’s credibility.

But Norton, 53, told the Daily Mirror about Wogan, below: “Sir Terry took a role that wasn’t really a role at all and he transformed it into the job it is today.

“I think this year will be bittersweet because we will all be thinking of Terry and I will say a few words about him as the night goes on.”

But he will wait until song nine before he raises a glass to his fellow Irishman “because Sir Terry always warned me not to have anything to drink until that point”.

He added: “It has all worked out very nicely as the Swedish people in the arena will be cheering their song as everyone back in the UK joins me to cheers his memory.”

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