Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Graham Norton says the ‘gorgeous’ public reaction to Queen’s death is ‘not rational but it’s genuine’

Thousands of mourners have been queuing to pay tribute to the late monarch as she lies in state ahead of the state funeral

Ellie Harrison
Monday 19 September 2022 05:37 BST
Comments
US president Joe Biden arrives in London for funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Graham Norton has reflected on the public’s reaction to the Queen’s death.

Thousands of members of the public have been queuing to pay tribute to the late monarch as she lies in state in Westminster Hall, ahead of the state funeral on Monday 19 September.

At points, the line to Westminster Hall at the House of Parliament stretched five miles across London.

A recent YouGov poll of more than 3,200 British adults found that some 44 per cent of people have shed tears or welled up in the wake of the Queen dying.

In a new interview in The Sunday Times Culture magazine, Norton – an Irishman who has been living in Britain for nearly four decades – talked about how he has found the past week of national mourning humbling.

“It’s gorgeous to see the way people respond,” he said. “It’s not rational. But it’s genuine.”

Earlier this year, the presenter, 59, married his partner (thought to be filmmaker Jonothan McLeod) at Bantry House in West Cork, Ireland, near where Norton grew up.

Graham Norton in 2019
Graham Norton in 2019 (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Norton has hosted The Graham Norton Show for the BBC since 2007. He also records a programme for Virgin Radio – on which he recently interviewed JK Rowling.

Norton’s new novel Forever Home will be published this September.

Follow the latest updates following the death of Queen Elizabeth II here

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in