Carrie Fisher reveals she spilt the beans some time ago on the Star Wars story line, Daisy Ridley says the movie was emotional and John Boyega talk about Harrison Ford, Kylie says she is loved up for Christmas and David Beckham admits Alex Ferguson still has a hold over him
On this week’s festive show (18thDecember)Graham is joined by Princess Leia herself Carrie Fisher, new stars Daisy Ridley and John Boyega, pop superstar Kylie Minogue and football hero David Beckham.
Carrie, accompanied by her dog Gary, and talking about the new Star Wars film, reveals she finds keeping a secret a bit of a problem, “I may have told Graham a year ago all about the film. There is a lot of pressure not to say anything. I had the script for about three hours.” Graham, remaining tight-lipped says, “Of all the people to trust with a secret I am not the one but you told me everything and I didn’t say a word!”
Daisy adds, “I kept the fact I got the role secret for three months, then told my sister and my mum and then my dad, who’s only comment was, “I was always more of a Trek fan!” John jokes, “I had to tell someone when I got the part so I told the taxi driver. My family was just glad I had a job!”
Talking more about the secrecy surrounding the movie, John says, “It was so crazy that we were told for so long not to say anything, now when I’m asked a question, I’m not sure what I can say. During filming they had posters up saying, ‘loose lips sink star ships.” Carrie adds, “Yeah, I stole one!’
Carrie reveals she gave Daisy some advice on set, “I told her not to go through the crew like wildfire, but I also told her not to take any advice from me! When I was first in it I never wanted anyone to have the anecdote, ‘I slept with Princess Leia.’”
Revealing how popular her character was, Carrie says, “I once met a guy that told me he had thought about Princess Leia every day from the age of 12 to 22. When I said, ‘What every single day?’ he said, ‘Actually it was four times a day!’”
Talking about her mother, Debbie Reynolds, Carrie says, “She has given me some extraordinary gifts over the years. She once gave my grandmother and me vibrators for Christmas and my grandmother said she would not use hers because she was afraid it might short-circuit her pacemaker.”
John, asked if Harrison had given him any hints and tips, says, “He’s not the type to give advice. He asked me to show him my London, so I took him to a Nigerian restaurant in The Old Kent Road, and all without security! He is so cool.”
Demonstrating his light saber skills, John challenges David to a fight.
Daisy talking about being in the film says, “The whole experience was just crazy. I was very emotional and cried. I wept all the way to the airport after seeing the film.” Talking about crying about the movie, John adds, “At the UK premiere I just let it go, like in Frozen!”
Revealing she didn’t get off to a great start with Harrison, Daisy says, “The first time I met him I went, ‘Oh my god, my mum loves you,’ and he was like, “Great!”
Kylie, asked about meeting her new beau Joshua Sasse while making TV drama Galavant, she says, “Nothing happened on set. It doesn’t always work out but it did on this occasion. It’s very nice.” Asked if they will be spending Christmas together and if so, where, she says, “We will. In a giant love heart.”
Talking about her first ever Christmas album,she says, “I’ve dabbled a bit before in Christmas but it’s been a long time coming. We started recording in June so it I’m very excited you’ve all finally caught up.”
David, asked what it’s like being voted ‘Sexiest Man Alive,’ by People magazine, says, “I was really embarrassed and surprised especially when Brooklyn said, ‘Really?’”
Talking about his upcoming BBC documentary, For the Love of the Game, and filming in far-flung places where he isn’t always known, he says, “Obviously it’s great not to be recognised. It doesn’t happen very often but it is funny when it does.”
Asked about playing at Old Trafford for part of the programme, he says, “It was really incredible because I never said goodbye to the fans when I left Manchester United so this was a chance to do that. But it is always nerve-wracking being around the manager, the boss, Alex Ferguson. In the documentary you can see I am really very nervous. He has a hold over players – we were petrified of him. A little bit of fear and a little bit of respect but mostly fear!
“He always hated us drinking or being seen with a drink in our hands so when I was at a charity dinner the other night and he was sitting behind me I deliberately positioned my glass of wine so he couldn’t see it. He still has a hold over me!”
Asked what it was like playing in the game with Brooklyn he says, “It was incredible and emotional.” And on Brooklyn wearing his dad’s clothes, David says, “He doesn’t think I am cool but he still raids my wardrobe!”
Kylie performs Winter Wonderland live in the studio.
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough to sit in a very festive Red Chair.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One 18thDecember at 10.35pm
Pictures are available from PA
Notes to editors – all quotes in this release were said during the recording but won’t necessarily appear in the final show.
Graham returns on New Year’s Eve at 10.45pm BBC One when his guests include Jennifer Lawrence, Eddie Redmayne, Will Farrell, Mark Wahlberg and Years and Years.
For further information please contact Mary Collins 07769 670516 or at
18th December 2015