The Graham Norton Show

Octavia Spencer is underwhelmed by Stonehenge, Jessie Buckley talks about working with Charlie Kaufman, Frank Gardner says being shot was a watershed moment, David Walliams talks about his latest book, Bill Bailey tells of his love of dance, and Dermot Kennedy performs live in the studio.

Octavia Spencer, joining Graham for a chat from LA about her new film adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches, says, "There are lots of frights and scares like in the old version, but it's been updated with a lot more fun - you'll want to tune in for the delicious evil! I love it and children will like it because it will be that movie that they will remember scared them in their childhood and that they enjoyed."

Asked about filming in the UK, she says "The English countryside is beautiful and there are a lot of places and farms that feel like Alabama where the film is set - they did an amazing job."

Talking about visiting Stonehenge as a tourist while she was here, and being somewhat underwhelmed by the ancient landmark, Octavia says, "I had always dreamt of going to see it - it was on my bucket list, but when I got there, I just thought the stones would be taller!"

Jessie Buckley, talking about her new TV drama I'm Thinking Of Ending Things, says, "It's a psychological horror road trip of Meet The Parents."

Asked what is was like working with screenwriter and director Charlie Kaufman, she says, "I love him with all my heart. His mind is amazing, and you know when you go into it, that it's not going to be something that you expect. He's gorgeous and fun - we played scooter racing in between takes and had a lovely time.

"The first (direction) note I got from him was 'This woman/thing is molecular' and, as I was rubbish at chemistry at school, I still don't know what that means!"

Frank Gardner, talking about his BBC documentary Being Frank: The Frank Gardner Story, and asked about how much he remembers of the actual day he was shot, says, "Sadly, I remember all of it. It was just bad luck - wrong place, wrong time."

Making light of the terrible incident, he adds, "I don't advise getting shot - it really hurts and messes up your whole day!"

Talking about the footage in the film of him walking around just prior to the shooting, he says, "It is pretty weird to watch because it was a watershed - two thirds of my life I'd been getting up and doing what I wanted and then I couldn't - it is very odd and strange seeing that. It's almost like watching a movie and I want to shout, 'Get out! Get out now before they come! You've only got seconds left.' But, it's too late by then - the script has already been written and the bad ending is already there."

David Walliams, talking about his new children's book, WW2 adventure Code Name Bananas, says, "What I wanted to do was a rollicking comedy adventure. I had a lot of fun writing and researching it and I drew on the stories of my dad as a kid during the war, and those of my grandads - one was in the Home Guard and the other in the RAF. Kids seems to love and devour my books and I always get tweets on the day they are published asking when the next one will be out!"

Bill Bailey, talking about taking part in this year's Strictly, says, "It feels like I'm on a different planet and I absolutely love it. I am taking it seriously and have even researched the history of dance. I love the idea of it and the process of it. It's going very well and it's fantastic fun."

Joking about being in a social bubble with Oti and his wife, he says, "It's quite cosy in there!" Adding, "Our teenage son lives with us, but he's not allowed to be part of the bubble. To be honest, he's loving it!"

Bill gives a fantastic demonstration of his musical skills by playing an Irish reel on a mandola, an instrument he learnt to play during lockdown.

And, on his new book, Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide To Happiness, he says, "A lot of guides to happiness offer up equations, which are all very complicated, so I have written about the little things that can make you happy like coffee making rituals, birdwatching and tree hugging. I love tree hugging - it's a lovely intimate thing to do and it works!"

Dermot Kennedy performs Giants live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat about the single and the new version of his album.