BBC confirms Graham Norton interview special with Madonna as she launches new album - and it airs soon

The BBC has teased that this rare interview "promises to be an unmissable television event".

Madonna and Graham Norton stood next to each other, smiling ahead in Koko.

Ricardo Gomes

Published: Friday, 12 June 2026 at 8:00 am

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Graham Norton is meeting music megastar Madonna in a brand new interview special, ahead of the release of her 15th studio album.

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Titled Madonna & Graham, the 50-minute special sees Graham Norton welcome Madonna in a world exclusive special for BBC One and iPlayer.

Recorded at the legendary Koko in Camden — the stage that hosted Madonna’s first ever UK show in 1983 as well as the launch of her landmark 2005 album, Confessions on a Dance Floor — the programme sees Graham meet with Madonna for an "in-depth discussion about her incredible life and celebrated career".

The BBC has teased that this rare interview "promises to be an unmissable television event".

Madonna wearing a black top hat and grey veil, looking ahead while posing for a photo.

Madonna. Theo Wargo/FilmMagic

Madonna & Graham will be broadcast on BBC One on Friday 26 June at 10:40pm and on BBC Radio 2 on Saturday 4 July, 6-8pm. Both programmes will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds for 30 days after transmission.

During the interview, Madonna looks back on her early days in New York, reflects on her enduring relationship with the UK, discusses her most recent performance at Coachella, and much more. The programme will also feature special guests, including an appearance from Madonna’s long-time collaborator Stuart Price.

Norton commented: "As a lifelong fan it is always a thrill to interview Madonna, but to meet her on the dance floor where she first performed in London over thirty years ago felt incredibly special. She remains a legendary pop icon who is still doing what she does best - getting people up to dance!"

While Jonathan Rothery, head of BBC popular music TV added: "Some commissioning decisions take a while to ponder, and some are a no-brainer. The opportunity for us to look in on an in-depth conversation between Madonna and Graham is definitely the latter. Madonna is such an inimitable artist and Graham a master of the art of chat. We are delighted to be working alongside So Television to bring this world exclusive interview to audiences on BBC One."

A close up of Graham Norton smiling ahead with his hand on his chin.

Graham Norton. BBC/So Television/PA Media/Matt Crossick

Madonna has appeared on The Graham Norton Show in the past, most recently in 2019 to promote her album Madame X.

Norton has spoken about his past interviews with Madonna before, joking that he thought she once fell out with him.

"She’s done [my show]," Graham said on Magic Radio, referring to a 2012 interview. "And then I think she fell out with me, and then the next one she did was Jonathan [Ross, in 2015]. And then she came back to me [in 2019]. I don’t know! I like Madonna, but she doesn’t make it easy."

He then joked: "I always thought that I might become her friend. And in her Instagram posts, I like to look behind her at the house, and say, ‘I wonder which house she’s in? Is she in London?’. Sometimes I cycle past it and think, ‘I wonder if she’s in there now?’.

"But rest assured, I’m not her friend, so don’t be too jealous."

Read more:

Madonna's upcoming album, Confessions II, will be released on 3 July, and is a direct sequel to her critically acclaim Confessions on a Dance Floor, which featured hits like Sorry and Hung Up.

Upon confirming the album, Madonna unveiled a first look via a 60-second video for the opening track, I Feel So Free.

She has reunited with British producer Stuart Price, who she famously recorded Confessions on a Dance Floor with in the loft of his London home.

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Madonna & Graham will air on Friday 26 June at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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