The Graham Norton Show

Renée Zellweger talks about being Judy Garland; Lenny Henry says he accepted his knighthood because of his mum; Louis Theroux reveals his wife wasn't overly impressed with his initial literary attempt; Andrew Ridgeley praises his best friend George Michael]; and Elbow perform live in the studio.

Renée Zellweger, talking about her new film Judy, and asked if she was worried about achieving the look and sound of Judy Garland, an entertainment icon, says: "Oh no, I just didn't let myself think about it like that at all, or what might happen. Every day for two years, pretty much, we were doing experiments - we just kept trying things until here we are."

Revealing that the dresses she wore for the role helped her get into character, she says, "Judy slouched a little and the dresses were made so that I couldn't have stood any other way. I was literally sewn into them. It was a great reminder during the day if you got lazy because you had no option but to stand like her. The sequins were very strict!"

Talking about the film's portrayal of Garland's last few weeks before she died, Renée says, "It's not depressing and you can't help but empathise with her. She's not tragic at all because she didn't quit. She's heroic."

Louis Theroux interjects. "I think I'd have made a documentary about her and I would probably have ended up being her 6th husband!"

Talking about her big break in Jerry McGuire alongside Tom Cruise, she says, "It changed my life overnight and Tom was the best teacher."

Lenny Herny, talking about his new autobiography, Who am I, Again?, says; "It's weird vomiting up your life and cutting it into chunks. It was a tough two years. I didn't want to do my mum a disservice as she is the most significant person in my life, so I was careful and truthful. When I showed my family they were very picky, but you can't wait until everyone is dead to write it, so I've done it now. It's been a whirlwind and I'm loving it."

Asked about almost turning down his knighthood, he says, "I asked my friends and family and they all said, 'do it', so I closed my eyes and imagined my mum looking on, so I did it."

Louis, talking about his cult status, says, "I think of a cult figure as someone small or fanatical and weird, but I'm happy that people watch my shows."

Talking about his new autobiography, Gotta Get Theroux This, he says, "I imagined early on that I was writing an edgy sort of book. A professional memoir felt safe as I didn't have to divulge much about my own psyche, my anxieties and my inner workings. Including my personal life was arrived at somewhat grudgingly. Basically, what happened was that after I'd worked on it for a year I showed it to my wife. She said, 'It's fine, but it's a bit boring!' so I had to sex it up a bit by going behind the scenes. It turned out to be more painful than you would think."

Touching briefly on the documentaries he made about Jimmy Savile, Louis says: "I did quite like him, which is not easy to say now because we know what he was, but I've tried to stay true to my experience at the time. Even having done those two programmes, I realise there was more I wanted to get off my chest and that was one of the main impulses behind writing the book."

Andrew Ridgeley joins Graham for a chat about his new book, Wham - George And Me.

Talking about George Michael, he says: "It seemed there was negativity after his death that threatened to overshadow his legacy, so I wanted to shift the perspective back on to the glory days and what was vibrant and exuberant about George's life."

Asked if he felt short changed that Wham only lasted a few years, he says, "No. It all happened so quickly, and the success took us by surprise, but it had a finite lifespan."

And of George's subsequent solo success, he says, "I was never jealous of my best friend, but I was envious of his talent. I had achieved my ambition of being in a band and playing live and I wanted him to go on and realise his talent as much as he did."

Talking about George's legacy, he says, "Personally, it's our friendship - it will endure, it is eternal. For everyone else, he was an exceptional vocalist and songwriter. He was brilliant."

Elbow perform White Noise, White Heat live in the studio, before Guy Garvey joins Graham for a chat about the band's new album and upcoming tour.