BBC boss covets saucy star Norton

BBC1’s boss disclosed today that Irish comic Graham Norton is SO on the top of her wish list for the channel.

Lorraine Heggessey said she would love to sign the camp comic who has a seven-figure deal with Channel 4 who went five nights a week for a spell this summer.

However she acknowledged the star - known for his saucy humour - was unlikely to move from his current home.

Asked at the Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival who she would like to sign as a presenter, Heggessey said: “I know who I would like to have.

“I also know he is on a good deal where he is at the moment.”

Asked if it was Norton, the BBC1 controller grinned and joked: “I couldn’t possibly comment.”

Norton signed an exclusive deal with Channel 4 which included presenting his nightly V Graham Norton show.