The Irish presenter has been interviewing celebrities for 30 years and has named Mark Wahlberg as his worst-ever guest after the actor fell asleep during the show
Samantha Bartlett Assistant Editor, Social News
08:04, 03 Apr 2026
Graham Norton has shared who were the ‘worst’ celebrities to interview (Image: Grant Buchanan/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Television presenters regularly interview individuals from every background imaginable, though it’s perfectly natural that some encounters prove more pleasant than others. While numerous celebrities are genuinely delightful, it’s not uncommon to experience ‘diva’ antics from stars who complicate matters considerably.
Given that Graham Norton has worked as a TV presenter for the last three decades, having launched his breakthrough career in 1996, he’s met countless celebrities along the way. As the star approaches his 63rd birthday, we examine the celebrities he described as most ‘difficult’ to interview – including the guest who claims the top spot on his ‘worst’ interview list.
Mark Wahlberg
Dublin-born Norton officially declared Wahlberg his “worst-ever” guest. During a 2013 episode of BBC‘s The Graham Norton Show, Wahlberg turned up sober but became severely inebriated approximately 15 minutes into the broadcast.
He constantly interrupted co-guests Michael Fassbender and Sarah Silverman, perched himself on Norton’s lap, and ultimately fell asleep on the sofa while Fassbender was recounting an anecdote.
Norton revealed to The Mirror: “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.”
Norton elaborated on his nightmarish experience with Wahlberg at the Henley Literary Festival 2025 on 10 October, revealing to the crowd: “If you ever see a drunk person on the show, it’s because they’ve arrived drunk – we have not made that happen.
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“Mark Wahlberg was a weird one because when he arrived, he didn’t seem drunk. He told me about his film, told me a couple of stories about stunts going wrong or whatever, and then it was only 15 minutes into the show when whatever the hell was in his system really took hold – and it was hell.”
Norton explained that fellow guests Michael Fassbender and Sarah Silverman were also subjected to Wahlberg’s disruptive behaviour, adding: “No one could tell a story. You tried to tell a story, he’d just interrupt and, at one stage, Michael Fassbender was telling a story and this one was going quite well.
“He was really getting into the heart of the anecdote. I thought, ‘This one is going well – I wonder why’ and I looked over at Mark Wahlberg and he was asleep.”
Robert De Niro
Beyond Wahlberg, Norton also labelled actor Robert De Niro as a “benign presence” who struggled with storytelling. One particular tale became so prolonged and meandering that De Niro himself questioned, “Why am I telling this?” resulting in the entire segment being removed from the final broadcast.
Kevin Costner
Norton has previously revealed that he found US actor Kevin Costner “snooty” and rude. Speaking to The Express, he said: “I ask him a question and he looks at me like ‘Jesus, do I have to talk to this man?’ He kind of gives a half-a*** answer and Helen Mirren chips in and asks him a question and he could not be happier.”
Mickey Rourke
The chat show host branded actor and professional boxer Mickey Rourke as “exhausting” and a “nightmare”. Rourke allegedly turned up clutching a half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels and repeatedly sparked up cigarettes during filming.
Norton told the New Zealand Herald: “Mickey Rourke he was just exhausting because he wanted to smoke all the time. I’d turn away for a second, turn back and he’d have lit another cigarette. It was so boring – you feel like a teacher taking children on a school trip, not a chat show host.”
David Cassidy
The presenter also remembered his interview with 1970s pop legend David Cassidy as amongst the most uncomfortable of his career. He characterised the late singer as “bitter and weird” when they met.
During an appearance on This Morning, Norton discussed the awkward encounter with hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.
Explaining why it went so badly, Norton said: “I loved him when I was a teenager, and then you meet him, and he’s so bitter and weird… not a happy time… I think David hates that he was David Cassidy.”