The Graham Norton Show

Nicole Kidman says she is excited to be 50, Keith Urban reveals he was scared to ask Nicole out, Alan Cumming talks about his rather unconventional preparation for sex scenes and Sheryl Crowe says performing with Michael Jackson was surreal.

Nicole Kidman, talking about attending the Cannes Film Festival to promote Beguiled and asked if she ships masses of outfits out to the event ahead of her arrival, she says, "I prepare but I pretty much just pack and go and hope for the best. Luckily Keith is very good with a needle and thread!"

Asked how she selects acting projects, she says, "I am spontaneous and like to chose a script and visionary directors and I don't mind if they are divisive. A movie isn't a democracy - we all show up hoping for that vision." Talking about appearing in TV shows - including Top Of The Lake and Big Little Lies - she says, "It is great to be able to play so many different roles at this time in my life."

Talking about being in the upcoming Aquaman, she says, "My daughters were like, 'Do you get to wear a crown? Do you get to have a tail? I said, 'I get to have mother of pearl all over my body,' and they were like, 'Oh do it mummy!' and I wanted to have some fun."

Asked about working with Colin Farrell on Beguiled and one particular scene that took rather a long time to film, Nicole says, "I had to give him a sponge bath and it took about a day." Asked if those sorts of scenes are awkward, she says, "Considering what Colin and I did in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, that was nothing," Adding jokingly, "Can we move on? My husband is on the show!"

And, on her upcoming 50th birthday, she says, "I am so excited but I don't like surprises. I literally and instantaneously break out in cold sores!" Keith Urban adds, "I've got lots of good stuff planned."

Alan Cumming, talking about the upcoming opening of Club Cumming in New York, and revealing how it came about, he says, "I was in Cabaret on Broadway and filming The Good Wife at the same time and thought I would have no fun so I thought I would turn my dressing room into a club so I wouldn't have to go anywhere and I even got a booze sponsor. It was lovely and became a thing. The box office told me that people would ask for tickets for the show and tickets for Club Cumming!"

Alan reveals that he asked for a scene to be written for him in The Good Wife, "My character was very uptight because he hadn't had sex for so long. I said to the writers, 'I think I am quite a good actor but I am finding it hard to play someone who hasn't had sex for three years and I want some action!' I said it and five weeks later Eli's ex-wife turned up and the relationship was re-kindled. I also had sex scenes with Amy Sedaris's character - it was one of the funniest things I have had to do and she bit me!" Quickly adding, "She bit my finger!"

Revealing a rather unconventional way of preparing for roles, he says, "I Google naked pictures of people before I meet them. If I am going to do sex scenes with them I need a little heads-up. If it is out there you might as well take a look!"

Before joining Graham for a chat, Keith Urban performs The Fighter live in the studio with Mel C.

Talking about the meaning of the song, Keith says, "My marriage influenced the music. The theme of the song was from early in our relationship when I wanted to reassure her that I am a safe place to be and will take care of her."

Revealing very little about the proposed new series of American Idol, he says, "It's great it's returning. I had such a good time." Asked if Katie Perry is one of the judges he says, "I don't know and I have no idea who's coming back - I don't even know if I am coming back."

Asked by Alan how they originally got together, the loved up couple tease each other about whether they were instantly attracted to each other. Nicole says, "There are some discrepancies over that - he didn't call me. Not for four months but he says different." Keith adds, "I was scared!"

Talking about his fans - the so-called Urban Army - and a rather unusual encounter, he says, "I was on stage and someone shouted out, 'Sign my leg!' I thought that would make a good moment so I agreed. The woman then disappeared and suddenly a prosthetic leg was lobbed on to the stage. I signed it and then wondered what the correct etiquette was for returning it. Finally it was crowd-surfed back to the owner."

Sheryl Crow performs Be Myself live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat. Talking about performing backing vocals for Michael Jackson when she first started out, she says, "We had so much fun - even Bubbles came on tour - but it was strange and surreal."