Bored-with-Britain Norton puts BBC show at risk

GRAHAM NORTON may stay in the US because he is “bored” with Britain - jeopardising plans for his new BBC show.

The Cork-born comic signed a reported £3.5 million (€5.2m) deal with the BBC earlier this year.

He was expected to front a new Saturday night show in the autumn.

But after finding success across the Atlantic with his US show, The Graham Norton Effect, Norton says he has other plans.

“The idea seemed interesting two months ago. But now that we’re here, we couldn’t be more bored by the idea of going home,” he told the Boston Globe.

Instead, he wants to stay in the US and hopes cable channel Comedy Central will commission a second series of the show.

“I want Comedy Central to pick the show up. I have no interest in going home. Of course, the BBC may be a bit upset if they read this,” he said.

BBC bosses were delighted when they poached Norton from Channel 4.

But he is said to be unhappy with the shows he has been offered.

He moved to New York in June after signing the deal with Comedy Central.

The 41-year-old was already a cult star in the US, where his British show So Graham Norton was broadcast on BBC America.