Norton set for international stardom with US show

Irish comedian Graham Norton is set for international stardom after landing his own US chat show, it was announced today.

He is to make an American version of his hit Channel 4 show So Graham Norton.

The Co Cork native has signed a multi-million pound deal with cable channel Comedy Central after a fierce bidding war with rival broadcasters.

The two-year deal also gives him his own stand-up special and a job presenting a movie show.

Norton is already a cult star in the US, where his show is broadcast on BBC America.

He recently went to New York to make a number of shows for his current Channel 4 series V Graham Norton.

Comedy Central boss Bill Hilary said: “We’ve been keeping our eyes on him for the past few years, and we felt it was time to bring him over. He’s an extremely funny man.”

The US show will have the same format as the British version, with a mix of celebrity guests and audience participation.

It will be filmed in either New York or Los Angeles and Norton will also produce it.

He has signed up for an initial 13 hour-long episodes, with an option to make more if the series proves a hit.

Norton will be back on Irish screens next month with a sixth series of V Graham Norton.

His contract with Channel 4 expires next year and the US show is expected to debut in June.

Comedy Central is the home of South Park and recently bought the Dom Joly show Trigger Happy TV.

The channel signed Norton after beating big-money offers from rival broadcasters NBC and ABC.

Norton told Hollywood Reporter: “Comedy Central seemed a safer place to start in America. I won’t look as freakish there as I would have on one of the bigger networks.”