The BBC has confirmed that Irish-born comedian Graham Norton will replace Jonathan Ross as presenter of its prime-time Friday night TV show.
Speaking at the Edinburgh Television Festival, BBC One controller Jay Hunt confirmed Mr Norton would commence his new show from October 22nd.
"Graham's show has gone from strength to strength since moving to BBC One and I'm sure the audience will love his unique blend of comedy and entertainment on a Friday night," she said.
Born in Clondalkin in 1963, Norton was raised in Bandon, Co Cork. He appeared in several episodes of blockbuster comedy Father Ted during the 1990s. He went on to host his own shows, So Graham Norton and V Graham Norton on Channel 4.
Norton's chat show The Graham Norton Show debuted on BBC2 in February 2007 before moving to BBC One over two years later, in October 2009.
In 2008, he was announced as replacement for Terry Wogan as presenter of the Eurovision Song Contest.
His appointment as replacement for Jonathan Ross after 13 years at the corporation was the subject of much media speculation.
Ross (49) said in a statement in January that he had decided not to renegotiate his contract when it ended at the end of July.
His decision came just over a year after the notorious Sachsgate scandal, over which he was suspended for three months.
