Graham Norton says leaving the BBC's highest-paid list is a 'bonus'

• Bang Showbiz
• 7 January 2021

Graham Norton

According to Graham Norton, exiting the BBC's highest-paid list is a welcome "bonus" of his move to Virgin Radio

Graham Norton feels relieved to be leaving the list of the BBC's highest-paid stars.

The 57-year-old presenter has left Radio 2 to take up a new role on Virgin Radio, and Graham is glad that he'll no longer appear on the BBC's annual list of its best-paid stars.

He shared: "The only thing that was part of the decision was, 'Oh, if I stopped doing this, I’ll get off that list. I won’t be on that list anymore.' The kind of high earners list, which I didn’t like being on it, hey, now I’m not.

"So to that extent it made me go … but that was sort of a bonus of leaving, it wasn’t the biggest driving force."

Asked what else attracted him to make the move, Graham told Times Radio: "It was just sort of being my age, and somebody wanting me!"

Graham previously admitted to being "surprised" by the switch.

The radio and TV star – who continues to host 'The Graham Norton Show' on the BBC – also revealed that the Virgin studios are "very close" to where he lives.

Speaking in November, he explained: "I am excited and a little surprised to be joining Virgin Radio UK in 2021.

"I was very content where I was but the opportunity to host shows across the weekend seemed too good to miss out on. Plus the energy and enthusiasm at Virgin Radio are infectious and I can’t wait to get started! Did I mention the studios are very close to my house?"

Mike Cass, the content director of Virgin Radio UK, was also thrilled by the news.

He said at the time: "Graham Norton is one of very few truly unique talents in broadcasting. I’m delighted to be welcoming him to the Virgin Radio family in the new year."