From radio show host to Eurovision commentator and best-selling author, Graham Norton is a household name in the UK - his position cemented by his irreverent, innuendo-laden style. He is, of course, most notable for his hugely popular comedy chat show which has seen all manner of celebrity names grace his plump red sofa. However, October 2022 saw a new term float into the lexicon used around the well-known TV presenter after he was posed questions on trans rights and author JK Rowling’s unrelenting anti-trans campaign. And it was Norton’s noncommittal response that sparked weeks of debate; a mere glimpse of the hostility towards trans people in the UK. The term in question? As always, it’s ‘cancel-culture’ and, as we’ll explore, Norton’s experiences are merely a symptom of a much wider problem…

This episode was written by Paula Akpan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices