GRAHAM Norton is one of British television's most successful entertainers. He has won four Baftas, an international Emmy and was voted Best Personality at the Comedy Awards 2001.

Since being spotted on Channel 5, his rise to the top of British TV has been meteoric to say the least.

Four series of his incredibly popular Friday night C4 TV show, So Graham Norton, were followed in May by V Graham Norton, his nightly ratings-winning series which has only strengthened his position as one of the nation's favourite stars.

Until now, very little has been known about the real man behind the colourful show business persona.

But in Graham Norton -- Laid Bare (Published by Andre Deutsch, £16.99. Rating: ***), biographer and journalist Alison Bowyer has spoken to many of those closest to Norton to reveal the untold story behind his rise to the top.

Travelling to his native Ireland and also to America to interview relatives, friends and lovers, she has gained a fascinating and revealing insight into this irrepressibly off-beat man.

Graham Norton has obviously got what it takes to attract some of the biggest names in the world on to his show for a chat and a laugh, often at their expense or at the expense of some unsuspecting website owner.

Warm, witty, and intelligent, Graham Norton could easily go from strength to strength.