Graham Norton has opened up about a harrowing moment from his past.

Speaking to OK!, Norton, 61, recalled the terrifying ordeal that unfolded on the streets of London in 1989, when he was violently attacked and left fighting for his life.

“No failure compares to dying,” he told OK!, and said it on the profound impact on his perspective on life. Norton revealed that he lost nearly half of his blood that night, describing it as the darkest chapter of his life.

In a candid interview about the incident, Norton explained that the gravity of his condition didn’t immediately register. 

“It didn’t dawn on me I was dying. It took a while to realise,” he confessed. 

Only after a nurse asked if there was anyone who should be contacted on his behalf, did the seriousness of his injuries truly sink in.

While recovering in the hospital, Norton also recalled an interaction with an elderly woman by his bedside. He shared how she hesitated but ultimately reached out to hold his hand.

“I think that’s something so deep within us,” Norton said, “we don’t want to die alone.”

This traumatic event, though deeply painful, also left Norton with a profound sense of resilience. 

Despite the trauma, Norton acknowledges the impact it had on his personal growth, admitting that it ultimately “changed [his] life for the better.”

Now a beloved fixture on television across the UK and Ireland, Norton continues to charm audiences with his hilarious jokes and natural charisma. 

He is set to return to his popular BBC talk show on Friday, September 27th, with a star-studded lineup that includes Demi Moore, Lady Gaga, and Colin Farrell. 

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