The BBC is reportedly having a tough time signing big name stars for The Graham Norton Show due to the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes.
The strikes have been rumbling on for weeks, with the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA – a union representing actors – taking action over issues including pay and streaming residuals.
Thousands of actors and writers have been joining picket lines outside major studios in big entertainment hubs like Los Angeles and New York.
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And huge stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Zendaya have films coming out but aren’t doing publicity to support the strikers.
(Image: PA)
The Graham Norton Show often hosts tons of A-listers on its red sofa but it’s currently suffering a “crisis” as they can’t book big-name guests, according to the Mirror.
Bookers are said to be struggling because so many celebs are laying low amid the strike action.
A source told the Mirror: “The BBC is in crisis as the Hollywood strikes are causing its flagship chat show an absolute headache for its next run later this year.
“They can’t book any of the A-list actors who would usually be their headline guests.”
(Image: Derek French/REX/Shutterstock for SAG-AFTRA)
The insider claimed that several British stars were also striking or stopping doing publicity to show solidarity, making things even harder.
Graham himself has previously suggested that the strikes could have an impact.
Chatting about his plans during an appearance on Cork’s 96FM earlier this summer, he said: “I’m going to wrap up and probably go to the States for a little while and then back to London for the chat show which, because there are no Hollywood actors, you know, if you’re in London there’s probably room on the sofa.”
It isn’t the first time Tinseltown has been hit by industrial action, with a huge strike in 2007 going on for weeks and affecting production on many hit shows.
Daily Star has reached out to the BBC for comment.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
