Madonna talks about being a soccer mom, Sir Ian McKellen says turning 80 is wonderful,

Danny Boyle talks about the Beatles, Lily James says Four Weddings was surreal,

Himesh Patel chats about Yesterday and Sheryl Crow performs live in the studio

On tonight's show (14th June), Graham welcomes music icon Madonna, acting legend Sir Ian McKellen, award-winning director Danny Boyle, British actors Lily James and Himesh Patel and American singer song-writer Sheryl Crow.

Danny, talking about his new movie Yesterday, which stars Lily and Himesh, says, “The Beatles’ music was incredibly expensive. It was the second most expensive thing I’ve ever put in a movie.” Asked what the first was, he says , “Leonardo DiCaprio!”

Talking more about the Beatles’ songs, he says, “We talked to the remaining Beatles and the widows of the others and they all wrote beautiful letters. And, when I decided to call it Yesterday, I thought I’d better ask Paul McCartney if it was okay to use. He wrote back and said the original title of the song was ‘Scrambled Eggs’, and perhaps we should call the film that. It would have worked well if it had been a mess!”

Lily, talking about working with Richard Curtis, both on the new film and on the Four Weddings and a Funeral Comic Relief special, says, “Rowan Atkinson was marrying us, and Hugh Grant was walking me down the aisle in front of the entire cast of the original film. It was such a magical surreal experience.” 

Himesh, talking about leaving a soap for a movie career, says, “It seems to be going well. I imagine a lot of people on EastEnders thought, ‘We’ll see him in a year’s time!’”

Asked about working with Ed Sheeran in Yesterday, he says, “I thought it would be so surreal and continue to feel surreal every time I saw him on set, but he is freakishly down to earth and relaxed. He just hung out with us. He did give me some advice about playing to a stadium. He said, when the adrenaline is really going the crowd becomes a blob so play to the blob!”

Talking about learning 20 songs for the film, Himesh says, “I spent two and a half months in a room getting better at guitar and piano.” Demonstrating how good he actually got, he sings a few bars of Yesterday, accompanying himself on the guitar. 

Madonna joins Graham for a chat about her new album Madame X.

Asked if she still gets excited about a new album, she says, “Of course. I’m feeling anxiety right now. Every time feels like the first time.” 

Talking about how the album came together, she says, “That’s the magic of collaborating. Sometimes the lyrics are in my head, sometimes it just happens in the moment.”

Asked about being a soccer mom and living in Lisbon, she says, “I surprised myself. Barcelona and Turin were an option, but I couldn’t see myself living there. It would have been a lot easier if he’d liked music!” 

Asked if she watches all David’s games, she says, “I admit I only watch when he’s playing. If he’s on the bench, I’m on my phone!”

Talking more about her children, she says, “I think they wish I wasn’t Madonna. I think it would be less challenging, in their minds, if they didn’t have me as their mother.”

Asked about her upcoming tour and her choice of the Palladium, she says, “I can see everyone, and they can see me, which you can’t do in a stadium or sports arena. I want to do something different. It’s very theatrical and intimate and I’m nervous.”

Asked if she thinks there might be a biopic of her life one day, she says, “If there ever is one, I’ll be directing it.” Adding jokingly, “I warn any director who tries to make one, there will be a mysterious death!”

Ian McKellen joins Graham for a chat.

Talking about turning 80, he says, “I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s wonderful. I’m having a lovely time.”

Asked about his one-man tour, he says, “I can reveal it here that I am enjoying it so much that I don’t want to stop so I’m not. I’m going to do it for three months in London.”

Sheryl Crow performs a world TV exclusive of Still the Good Old Days live in the studio, before joining Graham to chat.

Talking about collaborating with other singers like Eric Clapton, Stevie Nicks and Kris Kristofferson on her new album Threads, she says, “They are my heroes and we’re all getting older and I feel so grateful to still be here after 30 years, still making music, still having a rocking good time, so I just started contacting them and they said yes.” 

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 14th June 10.35pm.

Pictures are available from Press Association.

Notes to editors – All quotes in this release were said during the recording of the show but won’t necessarily appear in the final version.

Next week (21st June), Graham’s guests include, Tom Hanks, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal and Stormzy.

For further information please contact Mary Collins 07769 670516 or at mary@marycollins-pr.com 

14th June 2019