Graham Norton's commentary has always been a highlight of the Eurovision Song Contest, and for 2026, he delivered a performance that left fans in stitches. The 63-year-old Irish comedian has been narrating the competition’s live final for the BBC since 2009, following the passing of his predecessor, Sir Terry Wogan. Every year, he manages to make headlines with his sharp wit and clever jabs at both the hosts and contestants.
As the 2026 final kicked off in Vienna, Austria, audiences took to social media to praise Norton’s “lethal” remarks, calling them the main reason Eurovision is worth watching. One user, @Sunf10wer8_, wrote: “It’s not Eurovision without Graham Norton and his sarcastic comments.” Another, @BCtwtCarmen, added: “GRAHAM NORTON YOU ARE SAVAGE.” Meanwhile, @OorRoy joked: “I wonder if the Eurovision organisers know Graham Norton spends all night slagging the contest off.”
Norton wasted no time getting into the jokes as the show began, telling viewers at home: “There are lots of operatic-style vocals tonight! You may want to put the dog in the kitchen.” As Denmark opened the show with Soren Torpegaard Lund performing his song For Vi Gar Hjem, Norton quipped about the team’s “ill-advised mesh tops.”
He also took aim at the presenters, Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, with a real zinger: “Presenting Eurovision may not seem like rocket science, but wait ’til you see these two. You will see more of them tonight than you may want to.” He continued by poking fun at their outfits, saying Swarovski looked like “the heir to a jewellery fortune” while Ostrowski “looks like he’s ready to make balloon animals.”
Here are some of Graham Norton’s best lines from Eurovision 2026:
- “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?”
Norton also noted that “Apparently, Victoria is wearing jewels worth £4.5 million. It may not look like it, but that’s what I heard…” He later returned to the topic of the hosts, describing Michael as an “experienced comedian” but admitted, “It’s him and her. They just do not click. Whatever the opposite of chemistry is, that’s what it is – woodwork.”
The controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in the contest also made its way into Norton’s commentary. Introducing 28-year-old Israeli singer Noam Bettan with his track Michelle, Norton praised the “clever staging” and said he “performs very well.” However, he seemed taken aback by the mixed reception in the hall, stuttering: “Slightly mixed response in the hall. I’m not quite sure what we’re hearing.”
Despite large protests outside the venue in support of Palestine, the live audience inside Wiener Stadthalle appeared to cheer and chant Noam’s name. Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Slovenia withdrew from the competition when Israel’s participation was confirmed, while Spain, previously part of the Big Five, is also boycotting. Many have speculated that the Israeli beauty brand Moroccanoil being a Eurovision sponsor for six years may be a reason for the country not being banned, despite ongoing pressure.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s entry, Sam Battle, who performs as Look Mum No Computer, brought his own brand of quirky energy to the stage. Representing the UK with Eins, Zwei, Drei, the YouTube star wore a pink boiler suit for his slot at number 14 in the running order. Performers in fluffy headwear danced in a mock workshop while he played a synthesiser, ending up in a cardboard box.
It was all as whacky as expected, though fans back in the UK were less than impressed with his tune. Speaking to The Guardian, Norton joked ahead of the contest: “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 continued: “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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