Graham Norton was 'left for dead' after being stabbed in vicious attack
Graham Norton, the beloved BBC Eurovision host, has opened up about a terrifying incident where he was stabbed and "left for dead" in a horrific attack back in the 1980s.
The popular TV personality revealed that "no failure compares to dying" after the near-fatal incident which took place in London.
Earlier this year, the Irish-born star, who now has his own chat show on BBC, bravely shared details of the knife attack in 1989 that resulted in him losing "lost half [his] blood". Speaking to The Telegraph, the 61 year old described it as the worst moment of his life.
"Getting stabbed in 1989. I lost half my blood," Graham began. He then recalled the morning after the incident when he was in the hospital ward and a nurse asked him if they should contact anyone, including his parents.
Graham, who hails from Cork, admitted that he didn't fully comprehend the gravity of the situation at the time. He also didn't realise that he was on the brink of death.
"I didn't know I was dying, I didn't figure it out until later," he confessed during a podcast last year, according to The Mirror. He then shared a touching moment with an elderly lady in the hospital, asking her to hold his hand.
Graham said: "And it was a flicker on her face of 'oh do I want to hold his hand' but she did and she held out her hand."
"I held her hand and I think that's something so deep within us and it motivates so much of our life that we don't want to die alone."
The BBC host also revealed that the terrifying experience gave him a "really good attitude to risk and to failure".
Graham admitted that while he wouldn't wish the ordeal on anyone, it had "changed [his] life for the better".
On Saturday 12 May, Graham returned to his role at the BBC to provide coverage of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. He has been the iconic voice of the competition since taking over from the late Sir Terry Wogan in 2009.
The 2024 edition of the singing competition, held in Malmo, Sweden, was won by Switzerland's Nemo.
The night also saw UK entrant Olly Alexander securing 18th place with his hit 'Dizzy' after receiving zero points.
Olly took to social media on Sunday, 12 May to congratulate Nemo on their performance - sharing a snap of Nemo performing onstage, Olly wrote: "Nemo!!!! You did it!! I’m so so proud of you it's been such an honour to be on this journey with you. You broke the code!!!"
