US-loving Norton may snub BBC to stay Stateside

LONDON – Comedian Graham Norton is enjoying working in the US so much he does not want to return to the UK, despite signing a £3.5m deal with the BBC.

The Irish comic and talk show host has enjoyed great success with his US programme 'The Graham Norton Effect', which is screened on cable channel Comedy Central.

He is not keen to return to London to film a pilot for a new Saturday night BBC show.

Norton, 41, told the Boston Globe: "I have no interest in going home. 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 signed the exclusive six-month deal with the BBC in April after almost four years presenting 'So Graham Norton' on Channel 4.

The star has already filmed one pilot, which was rejected by BBC entertainment bosses. He is due to start filming the second pilot in September.

Norton is hoping Comedy Central will commission a second series of 'The Graham Norton Effect'.

He said: "I want Comedy Central to pick the show up again. I imagine the BBC will be a bit upset if they read this."

Jane Lush, the controller of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, flew to New York earlier this month to discuss the contract with Norton in person.

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