Jack Whitehall to host 'The Graham Norton Show' as Graham Norton takes his first ever break

Jack Whitehall will host the Graham Norton Show for one night only as Norton covers the 2019 Eurovision Song contest in Tel Aviv Israel (Credit: PA Images)
Jack Whitehall will host the Graham Norton Show for one night only as Norton covers the 2019 Eurovision Song contest in Tel Aviv Israel (Credit: PA Images)

Jack Whitehall is set to host The Graham Norton Show later this month, as Norton takes his first ever break from the BBC chat show.

This will be the first time in 20 years Norton has missed his own show, as he’ll be in Tel Aviv, Israel to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

Read more: Rachel Riley and Stephen Fry among celebrities who reject proposed boycott of Eurovision in Israel

Graham Norton (above centre) welcoming guests Chris Hemsworth (left,) Paul Rudd (second from left), Julianne Moore (second from right) and Kit Harrington (right) (Credit: Isabel Infantes/PA)
Graham Norton (above centre) welcoming guests Chris Hemsworth (left,) Paul Rudd (second from left), Julianne Moore (second from right) and Kit Harrington (right) (Credit: Isabel Infantes/PA)

Whitehall will take over the reins on Friday, May 17, where guests will include Game Of Thrones and Star Wars star Gwendoline Christie, Beauty and the Beast actor Luke Evans and singer Paloma Faith.

On stepping in for Norton, Whitehall said: “I was so honoured Graham asked me to do this for him. The thought of stepping into his huge showbiz boots fills me in equal measure with fear and excitement. Worst case, I will make everyone appreciate just how lucky we are to have him.”

Norton added: “I’m thrilled to know that I am leaving the show in Jack’s capable hands. He is bound to do an amazing job. I should warn him not to get too comfortable in my chair, though, because like a slightly fey terminator, I’ll be back.”

Presenting isn’t a completely new experience to Whitehall, however, having hosted the Brit Awards for the past two years – although he did receive a bit of criticism this year after making a ‘raunchy’ joke about Little Mix.

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This Friday’s episode, presented by Norton, will welcome an impressive line-up of guests, including Keanu Reeves, Kylie Minogue, Suranne Jones, Taron Egerton, and Jamie Bell.