Graham Norton Reveals His Worst Ever Celebrity Guests

Television presenter Graham Norton has identified Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg as the worst-ever celebrity guest he has interviewed during his 30-year broadcasting career.

Norton, who made his major television debut in 1996, has encountered a wide range of global stars on his BBC program, The Graham Norton Show. While he noted that many celebrities are delightful, he recently discussed those who presented significant challenges, with Wahlberg topping the list.

The 2013 Mark Wahlberg Incident

The experience occurred during a 2013 appearance on The Graham Norton Show. According to Norton, Wahlberg arrived at the studio appearing sober, but became heavily intoxicated approximately 15 to 20 minutes into the recording.

During the episode, Wahlberg repeatedly interrupted fellow guests Sarah Silverman and Michael Fassbender. His behavior escalated to the point where he sat on Norton’s lap and eventually fell asleep on the studio sofa while Fassbender was in the middle of sharing an anecdote.

The famous (worst guest) was Mark Wahlberg, I guess. He was fine when he came on the show. There was not a hint of it and then about 20 minutes into the show (alcohol) caught up with him. Oh it was bad. At one point Mark was asleep on the couch in front of the audience.

The Mirror

Norton elaborated further on the encounter during the Henley Literary Festival in October 2025. He explained that the situation was particularly unusual because intoxicated guests typically arrive at the show in that state, rather than becoming drunk during the actual filming process.

Other Challenging Interviews

Beyond the incident with Wahlberg, Norton has highlighted other celebrities who proved difficult to manage in an interview setting. He specifically mentioned Robert De Niro, whom he described as a benign presence but characterized as a dreadful storyteller.

Norton noted that while many stars are professional, some exhibit diva behavior that complicates the production of the show.

The Dublin-born presenter is marking his 63rd birthday on April 4, 2026, reflecting on three decades of interviewing some of the most prominent figures in the entertainment industry.