Graham Norton has expressed his delight at being named the newest ambassador for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the event where he first launched his comedy career more than three decades ago. He joins fellow ambassadors Brian Cox, Suzy Eddie Izzard and Fringe Society honorary president Phoebe Waller-Bridge in supporting the world-renowned arts festival. Norton began performing at the Fringe in 1991, honing his skills with his show Mother Teresa Of Calcutta’s Grand Farewell Tour in a small Pleasance venue, before moving into television and earning acclaim as Father Noel on Father Ted.
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Reflecting on his long association with the festival, Norton said the Fringe was essential for emerging comedians in the early 1990s, offering invaluable opportunities to develop material, perform before live audiences and connect with industry figures. He noted that many high-profile guests on The Graham Norton Show have taken part in the Fringe at some point, either as performers or audience members. Norton, who launched his BBC chat show in 2007 and recently interviewed Taylor Swift on the day her latest album was released, said he looked forward to returning to Edinburgh next August.
Norton remains a regular visitor to the Fringe and continues to support friends and fellow performers during the festival season. Alongside his television career, he has written several novels and co-hosts the podcast Wanging On with Maria McErlane. His continued presence and enthusiasm for the festival highlight its enduring significance within the UK’s cultural landscape and the role it plays in nurturing creative talent.
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Edinburgh Festival Fringe chief executive Tony Lankester praised Norton’s appointment, emphasising the vital role the Fringe has played for countless artists who have since achieved considerable success. Welcoming him as ambassador, Lankester described Norton as an embodiment of the Fringe’s spirit – passionate, generous and deeply supportive of the arts. The 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 7 to 31 August, continuing its tradition as one of the world’s most influential creative platforms.
