BBC defends Norton amid drugs row

BBC chiefs have defended Graham Norton over his admission that he has enjoyed "loads of drugs".

The presenter made the confession in an interview with Janet Street-Porter for Marie Claire magazine. He explained: "I've tried loads of drugs, but it would really bug me if I got busted in the tabloids because I take them so rarely.

"I think that coke is middle-aged stuff. To me, it's a middle-class choice of drug," Norton added. "The only time I took ecstasy was years and years ago. It was absolutely amazing. It was just fantastic - really, really fun."

Drug groups criticised his openness. Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, commented: "It would be naive to deny that people use drugs because they enjoy them but there are risks and many who use drugs do come to harm.

"It is reasonable to ask that celebrities recognise a responsibility - that for many people there is a downside to drug use."

However, the BBC, Norton's current employer, said: "The issues that Graham discusses in this interview are aimed at an adult audience and reflect the frank and open nature of his personality."