On the show this week Graham welcomes superstar rapper Stormzy, Hollywood star Geena Davis, British actor Stephen Graham, and Strictly favourite Motsi Mabuse.

Stormzy, talking about his new album, says, “It’s a different sound to some extent.  From the beginning of my career I have been adventurous and like to explore melody and soul music.  This album is from the soul, from a very personal place.”

Talking about being on an island in Essex to record the album, he says, “Once you are there you are stuck there, which was a beautiful and spiritual thing to experience.”  Adding, “We had a lot of fun, but very wholesome fun.  Everyone thinks when rappers are in studio they are partying with girls and booze, but we played football, had bike rides and played Monopoly.  We had a great time.  It was really beautiful.”

Asked if being on the island gave him time to reflect on his success, he says “I did a lot of self-reflection then and during the pandemic – the last three years has been a time of growth for me, which is reflected in the music.  When you have success your age is locked in a bit and you are protected by teams of people and there is no room for growth.  I actually had an epiphany that I didn’t want to be a 29-year-old man-child, I want to be a real man.”

Talking about headlining at Glastonbury and asked how he came to be wearing the iconic Banksy stab-proof vest, he says, “It felt like it was bestowed upon me.  He found me – it was insane.  After the festival I had the vest and I was scared to have it at home so it’s now in a museum.”  Asked if he met Banksy, he says, “I swear to you he or she was never there.”

Geena, talking about her memoir Dying of Politeness, and recalling her “Insanely polite” upbringing, she says, “I was still completely self-effacing when I met Susan Sarandon. On the very first day my mind was blown when I heard her say what she was thinking.  It sounds crazy but I was so un-used to seeing a woman be like that.  I learnt so much from her.”

Revealing that she kept many big secrets from her parents, she says, “It started with small things like they couldn’t know I was living with a man or smoking. Everything was hidden and glossed over.  There was so much they didn’t know – like I didn’t actually get my degree but I somehow tricked them into thinking that I did.  Then all the press said I did because I lied in interviews too because they might read it.  They died without finding out!”

Stephen, talking about his powerful true crime drama The Walk-In, says, “It’s very close to my heart – it’s a very poignant and powerful drama that’s really relevant to what is happening today.  It is a wonderful piece and what I really like is being part of something that puts a mirror up to society.”  Adding, “I was a bit nervous at first about people’s reaction to it, but the way it has been received is phenomenal.”

Recalling a case of mistaken identity, he says, “One of the supporting artists –thought I was someone else and said, ‘You are doing really well for yourself.’ And I thought she was being really kind.  But then she said, ‘I never thought it would happen to you after Big Brother’ – she thought I was Craig!”

Talking about his acclaimed film Boiling Point, he says, “We made a tiny little film and never dreamed of the success it had – it was phenomenal.”

Motsi, talking about her autobiography Finding My Own Rhythm, and asked if her family has read it and are okay with it, says, “No they haven’t because I didn’t ask them to. I will give it to them for Christmas.  Everyone in my family has a view and opinion about everything in my life so I was like, ‘Let me do this on my own so I can put everything down as I saw it.’”  Adding jokingly, “They can write their own book afterwards!”

Asked what it is like without Oti on Strictly, she says, “It’s different. I just feel like she is missing for me because I always used to look at her, but in some sort of way the family is more relaxed.  My mother was very stressed out when we were both in the show and now she doesn’t care, she is very relaxed.”

Stormzy performs his new single Hide and Seek live for the first time in the studio.

And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough sit in the world famous red chair to tell their funniest stories.

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 21st October, 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.

Graham Norton picture: So Television