Taking ecstasy 'just fantastic', claims Norton

TV star Graham Norton reveals today he has taken “loads of drugs” and that the drug ecstasy is “just fantastic”.

In an interview with Marie Claire magazine, he says: “The only time I took ecstasy was years and years ago. It was absolutely amazing. It was just fantastic – really, really fun.”

He added: “I’ve tried loads of drugs, but it would really bug me if I got busted in the tabloids because I take them so rarely.”

Asked about cocaine, he said: “I think that coke is middle-aged stuff. It’s quite a slow drug that involves coffee tables. To me, it’s a middle-class choice of drug.”

He made the comments in an interview with broadcaster Janet Street Porter.

The frank admissions by the comedian, who signed a multi-million-pound deal with the BBC in August, earned him censure.

Referring to Norton, Tory MP John Whittingdale – chairman of the House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee – told the Daily Express that to “boast about the extent of your drug abuse and enjoyment, as he seems to have done, sends a message which is extremely dangerous and against everything which everyone, including the BBC, is trying to do".

Labour MP Gwyn Prosser told the Sun that Norton’s comments were “grossly irresponsible”.

Peter Stoker, of the National Drug Prevention Alliance, added: “Perhaps he’d like to ask the parents of those who died from ecstasy if they think it’s fun.”

Norton’s three-year BBC contract will keep him with the BBC until the end of 2009.

ITV reportedly tried to poach the star, but was outbid by the Corporation.

Norton, 43, hosted BBC1’s Saturday night show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, which found a singer to play the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End revival of The Sound of Music.

He joined the BBC from Channel 4 two years ago.