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Graham Norton said he was "delighted" as he revealed his exciting new role at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe . The telly favourite started his career as a comedian at the festival more than 30 years ago and has hailed its impact on the entertainment industry. The presenter, author, and comic has been announced as the newest ambassador for the world-famous event. He steps into the role alongside other famous faces Brian Cox , Suzy Eddie Izzard, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who is the Fringe Society's honorary president. Norton has been associated with the Fringe since 1991, when he was starting out as a comedian. He honed his craft as a standup performing Mother Teresa Of Calcutta’s Grand Farewell Tour in the Pleasance Attic, a newly opened 60-seat venue at the Pleasance. He continued to perform at the capital's annual festival as his career took off. He appeared as excitable priest Father Noel in iconic comedy Father Ted and was shortlisted for the Perrier Award at the Fringe in 1997. Ten years later, The Graham Norton Show launched on the BBC . The hilarious chat show has featured the biggest stars in the world over the years. Taylor Swift made her first public appearance following the release of her latest album The Life Of A Showgirl on the show earlier this month. She was joined on the famous red couch by Lewis Capaldi, Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Domhnall Gleeson. Commenting on his appointment as Fringe ambassador, Norton said: “It’s hard to believe that my connection to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe dates back nearly 35 years. “As an emerging comedian back in the early '90s, everyone in the industry knew that you had to make the journey to Edinburgh and its Fringe for the opportunities that you have to develop your craft with a live audience, but also to meet and network with the thousands from the industry that go there to look for talent. “Through my chat show I meet and talk to those across the entertainment industry every week, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone on the sofa that hasn’t been to the Fringe – either to perform or to watch shows at some point in the past. “I’m delighted to be announced as an ambassador of the Edinburgh Fringe and look forward to visiting the festival next August.” Norton returns to Edinburgh most summers to watch shows at the Fringe and support friends. He is the author of several novels and hosts the podcast Wanging On with Maria McErlane. Tony Lankester, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Our ambassadors represent the critical role the Fringe plays in the lives of so many who got their start on the stages of Edinburgh and, today, are at the top of their game in the world of the arts. “Welcoming Graham to the fold is a real pleasure – he is someone who exemplifies the joy and generosity of the Fringe spirit, unapologetically passionate about the arts and a huge advocate of the importance of the Fringe in his own career. “As an ambassador he will be uniquely positioned to help inspire the next generation of artists, and we’re excited to be working with him on this mission.” The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from August 7 to 31 next year.
