Graham Norton announces surprising next step in His TV career following australia live shows
Veteran television host Graham Norton has unveiled his next career move, and it’s one that may come as a surprise to his legion of fans. The 61-year-old presenter has been confirmed as the host of ITV’s upcoming reality series, The Neighbourhood.
Despite spending decades in television, this marks Norton’s first foray into reality TV. However, he remains confident that his latest venture will strike a chord with audiences, telling The Sun that he expects the new show to become “the nation’s favourite destination.”
A new reality TV challenge
The Neighbourhood is set to follow real-life families who must learn to coexist in a specially designed street, sharing meals and participating in social events while navigating a series of cunning challenges. Over time, the families will begin voting each other out, with the ultimate winner needing to balance likeability with strategic gameplay to stay in the competition.
Speaking about his excitement for the project, Norton said: “Like everyone, I’m always intrigued by what goes on behind closed doors. Add to that some dastardly challenges and a life-changing prize, and I’m hooked.”
The show is expected to start filming later this year, with an anticipated air date sometime in 2026. ITV hopes The Neighbourhood will replicate the success of the BBC’s smash hit The Traitors, hosted by Claudia Winkleman. That series, which recently wrapped up its third season, saw 22 strangers compete in a castle for a chance to win a cash prize of £120,000.
A temporary exit from his talk show
Norton’s move into reality television coincides with his temporary departure from The Graham Norton Show, as he embarks on a live tour in Australia. The Irish presenter will host An Evening with Graham Norton, a live stage show where he will share amusing anecdotes and engage with audience members in a Q&A session.
Rather than putting the long-running chat show on pause, the BBC has opted to bring in a temporary replacement. Stepping into Norton’s shoes will be none other than Claudia Winkleman, a seasoned presenter best known for fronting Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors.
Norton broke the news of Winkleman’s appointment during a recent episode of The Graham Norton Show, where Winkleman herself was a guest. In response, she quipped: “I apologise in advance.”
This marks the second time Norton has been replaced on his own talk show. In 2019, comedian Jack Whitehall stepped in as host when Norton was unavailable to fulfil his duties. Additionally, Winkleman previously took over from Norton in another role when he left BBC Radio 2 after more than a decade of presenting its popular Saturday morning show in 2021.
A bold new direction
For Norton, who has been a staple of British television for over two decades, this latest career move is an intriguing shift. His eponymous chat show has been a fixture on BBC One since 2007, renowned for its star-studded guest lists, witty banter, and infamous “big red chair” segment.
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While his talk show has cemented him as a national treasure, The Neighbourhood presents an opportunity for Norton to showcase his skills in a completely different format. Given his natural charm, sharp wit, and ability to put people at ease, there’s every chance that he will prove to be as successful in reality TV as he has been in entertainment and chat shows.
Looking ahead
With filming set to commence later this year, fans will have to wait until 2026 to see Norton in action on The Neighbourhood. In the meantime, audiences can look forward to his live tour in Australia, while those at home will see Winkleman temporarily take the reins of his beloved talk show.
As one of Britain’s most celebrated TV personalities, Graham Norton’s decision to venture into reality television is undoubtedly an exciting development. Whether The Neighbourhood will reach the same heights as The Traitors remains to be seen, but with Norton at the helm, ITV will certainly be hoping for a blockbuster hit.
