Graham Norton has always been a standout feature of the Eurovision Song Contest, and his 2026 commentary was no exception. The 63-year-old Irish comedian, who has been narrating the competition’s live final for the BBC since 2009, continues to deliver sharp, witty remarks that have become a highlight for fans around the world.
Norton’s tenure at Eurovision began after the passing of his predecessor, Sir Terry Wogan, and he has since become an integral part of the event. His humor often targets the hosts, contestants, and even the overall spectacle, making his commentary one of the most anticipated aspects of the night.
During the 2026 final in Vienna, Austria, viewers took to social media to praise Norton's "lethal" remarks, calling them the reason why many tune in to watch Eurovision. Fans were quick to share their admiration, with one user stating, “It’s not Eurovision without Graham Norton and his sarcastic comments.” Another wrote, “Graham Norton you are savage,” while others claimed he was on “top form from the start.”
Norton wasted no time getting into his jokes as the show kicked off. He quipped about the “operatic-style vocals” and suggested viewers might want to put their dogs in the kitchen. When Denmark opened the show with Soren Torpegaard Lund performing “For Vi Gar Hjem,” Norton made a pointed comment about the team’s “ill-advised mesh tops.”
He also took jabs at the presenters, Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, joking that viewers would see more of them than they’d like. He described Swarovski as looking like “the heir to a jewellery fortune” and Ostrowski as “ready to make balloon animals.”
Norton’s best lines from the night included:
- “Did she say something to annoy her stylist? Oh no, Essyla, one boot looks good. No, no, one boot looks better than two; out you go, there’s only 120 million people watching.”
- “What’s the opposite of chemistry? Woodwork.”
- “I’m told he’s dressed as a cat, but if your cat looks like this, you really should see a vet – ASAP.”
- “New to the music scene, he was a basketball player and a Big Brother contestant. The phrase ‘no stone unturned’ comes to mind.”
- “Shouting through the window, he sounds like a demented neighbour being driven mad by a woman who won’t stop playing the violin. He’d set fire to his house to shut her up.”
- “Who is it (performing behind a mask for Sweden)? Louise Redknapp? Cheryl? Haven’t seen Jane McDonald in ages.”
- “Now, you may be wondering: what a lovely man, but why is he painted silver?”
He also noted that Victoria was wearing jewels worth £4.5 million, adding, “It may not look like it, but that’s what I heard…”
Norton also commented on the lack of chemistry between the hosts, saying, “Whatever the opposite of chemistry is, that’s what it is – woodwork.”
The controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in the contest also caught Norton’s attention. As he introduced Israeli singer Noam Bettan with his track “Michelle,” he praised the “clever staging” and said he “performs very well.” However, he seemed taken aback by the mixed reaction from the audience, noting, “Slightly mixed response in the hall. I’m not quite sure what we’re hearing.”
Despite the protests outside the venue, the live audience gave a warm reception to Bettan. Several countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Slovenia, had withdrawn from the competition due to the controversy. Spain, too, was boycotting the event.
As for the United Kingdom’s entry, Sam Battle, performing as Look Mum No Computer, brought a quirky performance to the stage. Dressed in a pink boiler suit, he played a synthesiser while dancers in fluffy headwear mimicked a workshop setting. The act ended with him ending up in a cardboard box.
Norton joked about the UK’s performance, saying, “The big thing I have learned is to find out what plane the UK act is getting home – and to be on a different one.” He added, “It’s a long time to spend with someone who’s probably not very happy. There’s only so many positives you can think up to say – and you’ve probably said them all before you’ve even checked in.”
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