The Graham Norton Show

Salma Hayek talks about meeting the Pope, Kelsey Grammer sings the Fraiser theme song, Tamsin Grieg admits people mistake her for a man, Rhod Gilbert says his new show is his dream job and Alicia Keys performs live in the studio.

Salma Hayek, talking about her recent meeting with the Pope, says, "I was very honoured and excited to be receiving a medal from him but I was really nervous because I had just posted an Instagram of me staring at Susan Sarandon's boobs and I was so afraid he would see that picture and take away my medal!"

Revealing her obsession with rescuing stray animals, she says, "I'd promised my husband that I would stop because at the time we have 10 dogs, five parrots, Alpacas, horses and cats. They come to me, which he doesn't believe. I was filming in Bulgaria and this little abandoned puppy came up to me and I picked him up. I was terrified how I would tell my husband so I came up with the brilliant idea of pretending I was having an affair so when he found out about the dog and that I wasn't having an affair he would feel better.

"So I told him we needed to talk about something really important, and I never do that. I said, 'I feel so terrible telling you this but I was so stressed, tired and lonely and I've done a crazy thing. Please have mercy on me and be understanding.' And he immediately said, 'Please don't tell me you picked up another dog.' It was so sad that I was so predictable!"

Talking about playing Frida Kahlo and replicating the artist's famous mono-brow, Salma says, "I shaved it to make it grow more but it came out all pointy and not in the right direction. I went a bit crazy in the moment and even did the moustache but luckily that is still soft!"

Kelsey Grammer, asked about acting, says "It's not a difficult job, it's just challenging. You have to devote yourself to it and put in a lot of time to make it look easy."

Talking about tattoos, and revealing he has his new wife's name tattooed on an intimate part of his body, he says, "It didn't hurt as much as my parrot biting me. That was much worse."

Chatting about his love of singing, Kelsey delights Graham and his audience, with a rendition of the Frasier theme song Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs and gives his best Sideshow Bob voice.

Tamsin Grieg, talking about working in the US, and asked if she is recognised there since starring in Episodes, says, "I do get noticed but they can't understand what I say and they can't pronounce my name. I've had lots of variations including, Tasmin Grief!"

Asked if she was intimidated to be working with Kelsey in their new film Breaking The Bank, she says, "I wasn't because he is an incredible gentleman, warm and appreciative, very supporting and very funny. And he was very close to tears all the time." Kelsey interjects, "I live that way. I cry at the drop of a hat."

Revealing people sometimes get her gender confused, she says, "I am most often mistaken for a man. It happens quite a lot. We will go out for a meal and the waiter will say, "And for you sir?' I was walking down the street once and there was a toddler who'd just learnt to name things. He was pointing and saying 'car' and 'tree' and 'birds' and then he pointed at me and said, 'man!'"

Rhod Gilbert, talking about his new series, The UK's Best Part Time Band, says "It is the best fun I have ever had. I am really into music so this is my dream job."

Alicia Keys performs In Common live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.