The Graham Norton Show

Lily Allen reveals the name of her new album, Dominic Cooper talks about cross-dressing and the extraordinary Miriam Margolyes joins in the fun.

Lily Allen, talking about her forthcoming album, and revealing its title is Sheezus, says, "It's a confident title choice and a little nod to Kanye West."

Asked why she said goodbye to the pop world and then came back, she says, "It was just something I said on the red carpet, it felt right to say I was going to pack it in. So I was retired but then I decided to come back. I'd had two babies and I wanted to go back to work but realised I had no qualifications for anything except for being a pop star. So it seemed like the obvious choice!"

Talking about the video for Air Balloon, which features a number of exotic animals, she says, "I signed up for it as it sounded like fun and then I am there with a cheetah thinking, 'what am I doing?'" Revealing it was as dangerous as it looked, she says, "I had a steak wiped on my face so that it would lick me but I had been warned not to eat steak the night before in case I burped and he might have eaten me!"

Dominic Cooper, talking about his role as Ian Fleming, and asked whether in accepting the role he was auditioning to be the next James Bond, he says, "Any opportunity to do something that comes close to being James Bond is the opportunity to do that."

Asked about stories of him cross-dressing, he says, "I was young and I wanted to get into some dingy pub. I was half the size of any of my friends and looked like a female troll. They weren't letting any boys in so I put on a dress and tights and got into the club - it was a better option that hanging out at the bus stop!"

Revealing a truly embarrassing moment in his youth, he says, "I was working in a café wearing a really tight jeans. I had two cappuccinos in one hand and pastries in the other and as I approached the table it (he indicates his groin area) fell out of my jeans and rested neatly on the table. There was nothing I could do. The customers were repulsed and I just backed off!"

Miriam Margolyes, admitting she doesn't know who Dominic is and to his great amusement, says, "I think I've seen you in The History Boys, I think I saw that but I can't remember you." Prompted by Graham who tells her Dominic was in Mamma Mia, Miriam adds, "That was a dreadful film!"

Asked whether she knows Lily's work, Miriam says, "I'm 72 and I don't know about songs and singing, but I know you're highly admired." Mentioning her age again, she says, "I am amazed to be 72. It's all credit to me!"

Lily Performs Air Balloon live in the studio.