The Graham Norton Show

Michael Caine recalls two poignant meetings with John Wayne; Sally Field says writing her new book helped her move on; Chris Pine talks about nudity; Rami Malek says he loved being Freddie Mercury; and Christine and the Queens performs live in the studio.

Sally Field, talking about her new book In Pieces, and asked why it had taken seven years to write, she says, "Writing is not my craft and I didn't know what the story was. My mother passed away when I was 65 and I thought everything was resolved but, when she was gone, I felt deeply unsettled and couldn't put the pieces together so I had to find the story for myself. I trawled through 40 years of letters to uncover the information that I needed to move on."

Revealing that she insisted on being screen tested for her part in Lincoln, she says, "I demanded that Steven (Spielberg) screen test me with Daniel (Day Lewis) for the role. It was good for me and it was good for the film as we bonded over it before we had to appear on screen as husband and wife."

Chris Pine, talking about his new film Outlaw King, in which he plays Robert the Bruce, and attempting a Scottish Accent, he says, "I figured I'd get crucified for it but I had a wonderful voice coach and the cast were all Scottish so I figured they would pick me up on things. I am not a method actor, but I would keep up the accent in the pub after filming. I was entirely pretentious!"

And, on his full frontal in the movie, he says, "I bear the 'full monty' and it got a lot of attention. I thought the witty reviews were brilliant but what did strike me most is that Florence Pugh bares everything too and no one commented. I am not sure what that means. Either people think they can't comment or everyone expects women to get naked. Either way, it's double standards."

Rami Malek, talking about the moment he realised he had made it to stardom, says, "I was driving in LA and spotted a billboard with my face on it. I was so surprised I slammed on the brake and someone rear-ended me. The other guy got out of the car unhurt but looked at me and followed my gaze and suddenly he developed severe back pain. I thought, 'I've made it and now he's going to take it all!'"

Asked about playing Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, he says, "We filmed the iconic Live Aid concert on the first day of filming - it was a real test. My heart was trying to escape my body there was so much adrenaline."

Talking about the scary moment he had to watch his audition tape with Brian May and Roger Taylor, he says, "I thought they had seen the tape but when I got to Roger's house I stood between them to watch it. When it came to the end, Brian just said, 'That's alright then.' I got away with it!"

And, on Freddie's iconic teeth, Rami says, "I am not a method actor, but I kept the teeth in off set. It's not often you can end every sentence with 'darling' or dear' in a British accent - I loved being Freddie Mercury."

Michael Caine joins Graham for a chat. Talking about working with Sally in the past, he says, "We know each other well but we don't talk about what we have done. We made two of the worst films together!"

Asked about the most recent part of his career, he says, "What happened was, when I was 60 I was sent a script and I sent it back saying, 'The part's too small.' The director said that I shouldn't have read the lover's part, but that of the father's. At that moment, I decided to retire. I went to America, wrote a book and opened a restaurant. While I was there, Jack Nicholson became a good friend and sent me the script of Blood and Wine, saying that he thought it would be one for me. After that I made more films, won an Academy award and I am still working at 85, having retired at 60!"

Talking about being a young actor in Hollywood, he says, "One of the first people I met was John Wayne, who sauntered into the lobby of the Beverly Hills Hotel in a full cowboy outfit. When he saw me, he said, 'What's your name kid? Were you Alfie? You're going to be a star.' He then gave me some advice on acting, 'Talk low, talk slow, don't say too much and never wear suede shoes.' When I asked why, he said, 'You'll be in the gents' toilet taking a pee and there will be someone next to you who recognises you and turns to look at you and pees all over your shoes!'"

Recalling his final meeting with John Wayne, Michael says, "My wife was in the hospital and John was also a patient there. I went to see him a lot and he would be dressed in his pyjamas, dressing gown and a cowboy hat. Seeing him for the last time was a strange encounter and one that made me tearful. His dying words to me were, 'Don't cry kid. It's going to happen to you too!' He died shortly after."

Christine and the Queens performs 5 Dollars live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat about her new album.