Keanu Reeves says playing a toy stuntman was a lot of fun, Kylie Minogue reveals that Glastonbury is a huge deal, Suranne Jones jokes about her hirsute summer, Taron Egerton says he was terrified to let people see

Rocketman, Jamie Bell talks about singing, and Michael Rice Performs live in the studio

On tonight's show (3rd May), Graham welcomes Hollywood star Keanu Reeves, Aussie pop queen Kylie Minogue, Doctor Foster’s Suranne Jones, British actors Taron Egerton and Jamie Bell, and UK Eurovision hopeful Michael Rice.

Keanu, talking about his new film John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, says, “It’s really nice to hear that people like the character. You do the work and you hope people like it.”

Asked if there will be a Bill and Ted three, he says, “Maybe, but you know, the best laid plans… We have a name – Bill and Ted Face The Music – and we are trying, so you never know.”

And, on voicing ‘Canada’s greatest stuntman’ Duke Caboom in the upcoming animation Toy Story 4, he says, “It was really an honour to be approached by Pixar and to be asked to join those stories. I have a little supporting role and it was a lot of fun.”

Suranne, talking about her new BBC series Gentleman Jack, the adaptation of the coded diaries of Anne Lister a 19th Century lesbian, says, “It is a period drama, but it has a modern spin. It is such a transgressive piece, very different. It’s all about her gender and identity. She was the first modern lesbian and it’s is unbelievable that we don’t know much about her. The codes were still being broken while we were filming and odd sexual phrases were buried deeply inside the secret code.”

Asked about her approach to the role, she says, “Under the costume I let all my hair grow out – everything grew really long! It was during last year’s really hot summer and every time I lifted my son up, my underarm hair was on full display – people would look at me and think, ‘Wow!’”

Taron, talking about his new film Rocketman, the Elton John biopic, which he describes as, “Strange, kooky and trippy,” says, “I was terrified to let anyone see it because it is me singing. We ask the audience to take an imaginative leap because I don’t sound exactly like Elton. His voice is very special.” Encouraged by Graham, Taron sings a few lines of Your Song.

Jamie, talking about the film, and asked if people expected him to be able to sing for his role in Rocketman because he can dance, says, “The director and producer assumed I could sing, and no one actually asked. When we got to Abbey Road, I just winged it just like the rest of my career!”

Talking about singing and dancing, Keanu adds, “I learnt to ballroom dance and found the waltz thrilling. I got high on it. It was pretty special!”

Jamie, asked about his upcoming film Skin, says, “We didn’t have the money to keep printing the full body and face tattoos I had for the role, so I couldn’t take them off for the weekend. I had to go out to dinner with them on. It doesn’t limit your life, it endangers your life! It was actually quite interesting, you’d think people would stare but actually they were very happy to ignore me!”

Kylie joins Graham for a chat. Talking about her new greatest hits album, Step Back in Time, she says, “Making it was far more emotional than I’d anticipated – weird and emotional. There is 31 years’ worth of songs – some of it is embarrassing and some of it I take pride in. I hope it takes the audience on a journey.”

Asked about performing at Glastonbury this year, she says, “It’s a huge deal for me. I was meant to headline there in 2005 but couldn’t do it because of my diagnosis. It’s been a long road to Glastonbury with a few speed bumps on the way.”

Michael performs Bigger Than Us live in the studio, before joining Graham for a chat about the Eurovision Song Contest.

Asked if he is all set for his performance in Tel Aviv, he says, “I am really excited, and I am going to sing my heart out.”

And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough to sit in the Big Red Chair.

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 3rd May 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 (10th May) Graham's guests include Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Kevin Hart and Octavia Spencer.

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

3rd May 2019