Graham Norton Show to return with a socially-distanced studio audience

\'The Graham Norton Show\' will be filmed with a live socially-distanced studio audience.

The long-running chat show is set to return for a new series with a live audience, but the crowd will be smaller than usual due to coronavirus restrictions.

In a statement released to BANG Showbiz, a series spokesperson said: "\'The Graham Norton Show\' will have a live audience in the studio - it will be smaller than usual with social distancing rules adhered to ... Dolly Parton and Riz Ahmed will be the guests joining remotely. All others will be in the studio."

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It\'s also been confirmed that one of the show\'s longest-running features - the famous red sofa - is set to be replaced with something new.

The spokesperson added: "The famous sofa will be replaced with individual red chairs spaced apart from each other."

The first episode of the new series will air on Friday, October 2, on BBC One.

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The last series of the chat show aired amid the coronavirus lockdown, with episodes being reduced to 30 minutes and were screened earlier in the evening.

The BBC said at the time that it was determined to continue airing the show in a bid to keep Britons entertained amid the health crisis.

Speaking in March, Tony Hall, the former director general, explained: "The BBC is determined to do all it can to raise a smile and keep the country entertained during these testing times.

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"We have lots of great shows already recorded, but we have also found ways to keep many other shows going so that the familiar faces people love will still be in their living rooms in the weeks and months ahead."