Alan Carr and Graham Norton sign deals to extend chat shows
Comic chat show hosts Graham Norton and Alan Carr have signed big money deals to continue to present further series of their Friday night shows.
The Sun newspaper reports that both comedians have signed new two-year deals, each reportedly worth £4million, which will see their chat shows continue until at least the end of 2013.
Another four series of Alan Carr's Channel 4 show Chatty Man have been commissioned for 2012 and 2013, plus Carr will also be involved in various other currently un-named projects for Channel 4.
Alan Carr says: "I'm absolutely flattered to be spending another two years at Channel 4, my spiritual home. Being moved to a regular Friday night slot really is the icing on the cake - I'm dead chuffed!"
Channel 4's Justin Gorman adds: "Chatty Man continues to go from strength-to-strength and Alan's warm sense of humour is a huge hit with C4's young audience as well as the A-list guests his show attracts. We may have to crack open his infamous drinks cabinet to celebrate."
Meanwhile Graham Norton is reportedly putting the 'finishing touches' on a deal which will see him present thirty four editions of The Graham Norton Show each year, plus continue as the host of the Baftas, the Eurovision Song Contest and front other BBC One Saturday night shows too. The Sun quotes a BBC source as saying: "Graham's been having a blast and he can't see himself going anywhere else."
Chatty Man and The Graham Norton Show are currently engaged in a ratings battle - with both shows now going out on Friday nights. Graham Norton currently attracts around 4 million viewers, whilst Chatty Man is impressing Channel 4 bosses with an average of around 2 million.