Norton expects Ross fans backlash as he takes radio seat

GRAHAM NORTON has told how he almost turned down the chance to take over Jonathan Ross’s BBC Radio 2 show — and expects a backlash from Ross’s fans.

Norton also quashed speculation that he could be set to take over Ross’s Friday night TV slot, saying “there’s been nothing said about Friday nights”.

The 47-year-old from Cork has been confirmed to take the helm on Ross’s long-running Radio 2 Saturday morning show later this year.

Ross, who caused a storm with the notorious Sachsgate prank phone call scandal, is due to quit the BBC this summer when his contract runs out.

Norton told the Radio Times: “Soon after Jonathan announced he was going, my agent had a conversation with Radio 2 but, to be honest, my immediate response was to say no.

“She said I should at least meet them, but I couldn’t see the point because it was going to be a complete waste of time.

“But I went and (BBC Radio 2 controller) Bob Shennan did an incredibly good pitch and convinced me that, if I didn’t take it now, I couldn’t assume that it would come along again later.

“I’m excited about doing it, but I know that Jonathan has a lot of fans and so there is bound to be a backlash.”

Asked if made contact with Ross ahead of the handover, Norton said: “I do think I’m going to have to speak to him soon because I don’t want it to be one of those awkward conversations when I do bump into him. Like the morning after a one-night stand, when nobody quite knows what to say.”

Asked about speculation that he may become a double substitute for Ross by also moving his BBC1 chat show to Friday nights, Norton said: “The chances of the TV one are getting a bit remote because they’d have to have made a decision by now: it takes a long time to turn around a TV show.”

Asked if he watches his tongue more carefully nowadays, Norton said he had been “toning it down” for a number of years.

He said: “There has been a shift. Audiences actually don’t want to push it too far or to be too crude.

“Audiences don’t find Amy Winehouse funny anymore because now it’s the walking wounded. Something bad is going to happen: everyone has that sense.”

Speaking about the BBC cutting the money it pays to its leading talent, Norton said: “I didn’t volunteer for a cut but I didn’t fight it... I had a lot of fat years and it’s hardly lean years now. You can’t complain. I shouldn’t say this, but I’d do what I do for a fraction of what I get.”