Eurovision Commentator Graham Norton To Continue Role For 'Doctor Who' Interstellar Song Contest

He’s also known to American audiences for The Graham Norton Show, a fixture of BBC America as one of its sparse British programs

Television host Graham Norton has interviewed every modern Doctor, at least those that are numbered, on his talk show The Graham Norton Show since 2007. Including several companions. Even had Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston on his radio show in 2017. Two years into his sixth television talk show, he became a commentator/co-presenter for the beloved Eurovision Song Contest, which has been running nearly 70 years, held in the reigning champion country. In fact, he’s been called the King of Eurovision. And if Doctor Who is going to establish that the future of the contest is going to grow beyond the stars with the Interstellar Song Contest, it’s apparently going to need more than just Rylan to stay true to its roots. The show has confirmed that Norton will be appearing in the sixth episode of the upcoming season, which begins tomorrow simultaneously across the world, an 8 AM local release time on BBC iPlayer, and on Disney+ in the rest of the world, a midnight Pacific/3 AM Eastern release stateside.

The 803rd Interstellar Song Contest is where planets from across the universe once again compete for the top prize at the Harmony Arena Space Station. The “Interstellar Song Contest” episode stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, Varada Sethu as companion Belinda Chandra, and Anita Dobson as Mrs. Flood. In addition to Norton and Rylan, the episode guest stars Julie Dray as feline alien named Sabine who co-hosts with Rylan. Other guest stars include Kadiff Kirwan looking like a talent handler, Freddie Fox as the episode’s horned alien villain, Charlie Condou, and Miriam-Teak Lee. The plan for the domestic BBC One linear premiere on May 17 is to be between two of the biggest television events of the year in the country: the FA Cup Final and the Eurovision Grand Final, with very intentional timing on the Eurovision end. However, that depends on if the game will go to extra time. Eurovision will start at its scheduled time regardless, so the possibility stands that Doctor Who might be squeezed out. The first two episodes of the season are already confirmed to have differing timeslots.

Charlie Condou Is Unforgotten New Season 'Doctor Who' Guest Star

“Graham Norton’s trading his big red chair for a blue box in Doctor Who season two!” the BBC said. Showrunner Russell T Davies, who co-wrote the Ben A. Williams-directed episode with Juno Dawson said: “There’s no song contest without the great man himself, and it was an honour to welcome Graham Norton to our studios in Cardiff. And it’s not just a cameo, he has a whole plot twist all to himself! This is the wildest episode of all, and we’re lucky to have Graham adding to the mayhem.” He seems to be getting quite the rush out of the race against the clock, saying to SFX Magazine, “It’s going to be very, very interesting what happens. Honestly, that day it’ll be like, ‘Are we transmitting or not? They did run this past me and say, ‘Do you want to take that risk?’, and I said, ‘That’s the sexiest f***ing risk I’ve ever heard in my life. Let’s do it!’ I will, probably for the first time in my life, be sitting watching the football wondering what’s going to happen. And I love it. My god, do you want this programme to make a noise or not? How likely is it? Of the last 10 finals, two went to extra time, so let’s say 20%. Place your bets! But don’t fret – it’s not as if the episode will vanish into the ether. “It’ll be on the iPlayer, and probably be transmitted on the Sunday or something – it’s all fine!”

'Doctor Who' Is In Two Hearts Taking Home New Trailer

Sources: Doctor Who, Cultbox