The Graham Norton Show

Together on Graham's Hogmanay sofa: the new Queen in The Crown, Olivia Colman, acclaimed for her portrayal of Queen Anne in the 18th Century comedy-drama The Favourite, together with her co-star Nicholas Hoult; Oscar-nominated star of Atonement and Love Actually, Keira Knightley, shining in new biographical movie Colette; and great Australian actor Guy Pearce (LA Confidential, Memento), talking about new historical drama Mary Queen of Scots. With music from Rita Ora, who performs a medley of hits from her current album Phoenix.

Keira, talking about receiving her OBE, says, "I didn't open the envelope for about three days. It was from the Home Office and it was terrifying because I thought I was in trouble with tax and that I had messed it up and that they were going to take away the house. So, I hid the letter! After three days, I thought. 'I am a mother, I am responsible and I am going to confess to my husband that I've messed up.' So, I opened it and it was a prize!"

Asked about her new film, Collette, she says, "The character explored her gender and her sexuality, which is what I liked about the script - it felt very current. She had female lovers, she had male lovers, she had a good life!"

Talking about her co-star in the film, Dominic West, she says, "He had to wear a fat suit, which was problematic for him in 40% temperatures so they created a cooling system inside so it looked like he had a colostomy bag on the side. Dominic is a very sexy man and he had to wear the suit, the bag and had horrific facial hair. I had been quite excited at the prospect of kissing such an attractive man at the beginning, I thought it would be quite nice, but it was sort of like kissing a walrus!"

Guy, talking about Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and on the impact the film had, he says, "We weren't aware of it at the time, but even now I get people coming up to me saying, 'That film helped me come out to my parents.'"

Asked about his new film, Mary Queen of Scots, which also stars Margot Robbie, a fellow Australian, he says, "It always seems so odd to us to be working internationally, and particularly for two Aussies to be playing two such prominent English characters."

Catherine, talking about her current tour, she says, "I had no idea whatsoever that anyone knew who I was in Australia and New Zealand. When they asked me if I would like to tour there, I thought they were asking me to do a Q&A about Doctor Who! I was delighted that there was an international audience."

Talking about the crazy logistics of performing all her characters live on stage, she says, "It's like another show going on backstage. I have brilliant quick-change artists who just strip me down. There's no time for dignity! Sometimes I run on stage and have to think, 'What character is this' because it's been literally seconds and I haven't had a chance to look." Adding, "Because of the quick change, I've gone on a few times without Nan's prosthetic face and not one person noticed!"

Demonstrating their NYE party pieces, Catherine impresses as a newborn baby crying, Guy performs his rather well-remembered top of the bus Priscilla aria, and Keira reveals she can play Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head on her teeth!

Olivia and Nicholas join Graham for a chat about their new film The Favourite.

Olivia, talking about playing Queen Anne and working with Jorgos Lanthimos, says, "I trusted him completely in the love making scenes. Emma Stone was worried about me though because she had to touch me intimately under the sheets. So, I put a big wet sponge there as a barrier. She was going up my leg and her face was a picture when she reached it!"

Asked about what stage she is at playing our present Queen in the upcoming new series of The Crown, she says, "We are nearly at the end. It feels like the longest bit because we have been going for months. I'm looking forward to a lie-in." Adding, "For the first two weeks I was trying to do an impression of Claire (Foy) playing The Queen. I kept saying to myself, 'What would Claire do?' and channel her. Now we are so busy I might not be doing it anything like The Queen or Claire!"

Revealing it is hard for her to channel The Queen, she says, "If someone says something sad I can't help myself and start crying, which is not what The Queen does, so they film quite a lot of the back of my head on those days and they've come up with a trick. They give me an earpiece and play the shipping forecast to me. So, I just tune into that and try not to listen to my fellow actors. It helped enormously!"

Asked if she ever thought she would have world-wide fame, Olivia says, "No. I love my job very much. I love going to work, which I know is very lucky, but the other stuff is a bit embarrassing."

Nicholas, talking about auditioning for the role in The Favourite with its unorthodox director, says, "When we read the script, I had to hum while the girl I was reading with was speaking and I had to sculpt her with my hands. Then the next time, I had to follow an imaginary beam of energy around the room. It was odd, but he got us on the same rhythm and very comfortable making complete fools of ourselves!"

Olivia interjects, "I think he wants to take you out of too much intellectualising the words - which is fine for me!"

Asked about their NYE party pieces, Nicholas demonstrates the agility of his toes, and Olivia gives a lion's roar!

Rita performs a medley of hits from her album Phoenix live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.

Talking about breaking the record for the highest number of records in the top 10, with 13 singles Rita says, "It always sounds better when someone else says it. It's such a compliment. I am really proud of it. It's lovely."

Asked to do her NYE party piece, she rather impressively burps the alphabet!

And finally, just as Graham starts to pull the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough to sit in the Big Red Chair, Nan makes an appearance!