Graham Norton was stabbed and 'left for dead' in street during 'darkest moment'

Chat show supremo Graham Norton has spoken about the horrific moment he was "left for dead" in the street after being stabbed and losing half of his blood during the 1980s

Graham Norton has opened up about a terrifying incident from the 1980s when he was brutally stabbed and "left for dead". The usually jovial presenter took a serious tone as he reflected on the horrifying ordeal, stating that "no failure compares to dying", underlining the gravity of the shocking event that took place on London's streets, reports OK! .

The beloved Irish-born host, 61, who is renowned for his BBC talk show, bravely spoke out about the 1989 knife attack in which he "lost half [his] blood while talking to The Telegraph. The experience was noted as the darkest moment in the life of the star. Describing the fateful night, Graham shared: "Getting stabbed in 1989. I lost half my blood." He further explained how the following morning in hospital led to a sobering question from a nurse about informing someone – possibly his parents.

At the time, Graham admits he didn't fully comprehend the seriousness of his situation and the fact that he had been on the brink of death. "It didn't dawn on me I was dying. It took a while to realise," he confessed during a candid podcast discussion.

While in hospital, he shared a touching moment with an elderly woman, reaching out for her hand in his time of vulnerability. Graham, who left his presenting job at Virgin radio earlier this year, reminisced: "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."

He touchingly added: "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 veteran opened up about the terrifying ordeal, saying it has instilled in him a "really good attitude to risk and to failure". Graham shared that while he wouldn't wish the experience on anyone, it undeniably "changed [his] life for the better".

The beloved broadcaster is set to return to BBC on Friday, 27 September, with the latest season of his highly anticipated chat show, gearing up to deliver more hilarious stories from celebrity visitors. Gracing the couch will be Demi Moore, currently starring in the chilling flick The Substance, alongside the likes of Lady Gaga and Colin Farrell. Plus, funnyman Richard Ayoade will be dishing the details on his latest literary offering.

Graham recently let slip that his nonagenarian mum Rhoda doesn't hesitate to give him her unvarnished feedback on his performances. Bracing for her blunt critiques, he confessed: "My mother watches the show every Friday and every Saturday I get her review."

He reveals there are only two kinds of review, laughing: "There are only two of them. One will go, 'Saw the show last night...I thought it was alright.' That is the good review."