First look at Happy Valley star James Norton in exciting new UK TV role this Saturday night

He may be known for his roles in Happy Valley and Grantchester, but James Norton is taking on an altogether different role this weekend as he hosts the next episode of Saturday Night Live UK.

The actor, who has also appeared in McMafia and House of the Dragon, will be joined in the presenting line-up by musical guest The Streets, with the pair set to satirise some of the most recent developments in the world.

With the episode set to air on Saturday (17 October), a teaser clip from the eagerly-awaited instalment has been released on YouTube, with Norton being involved in a skit alongside Annabel Marlow and Freddie Meredith.

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Titled 'James Norton Has Powerful Eyes', the clip sees the actor and Meredith participate in a staring contest after they both go for the same biscuit, with Marlow suggesting that the winner takes it all.

After the first contest, which Norton wins, Meredith states that he "wasn't ready" and then deploys a bunch of tricks in the hope of coming out on top. All his plans fail, and he walks off while shouting: "Your eyes are too powerful, James Norton."

The sketch was welcomed by fans, several of whom were excited to see Norton in hosting action, with one writing on YouTube: "Love how they decide to address him by his full name every time."

"So much James Norton meme content coming our way," wrote one user on Instagram, while another remarked: "I was genuinely expecting Annabel to just take the cookie while they're both distracted."

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Norton is part of a stacked hosting line-up on the comedy series this month, with the actor following in the footsteps of Rivals star Danny Dyer, who hosted last weekend's show with Sasha Keable as the musical guest.

Later this month, Wicked star Cynthia Erivo will front the sixth episode with Blossoms, before the show takes a break until January. Prior to these instalments, the hosts in September were Jeff Goldblum, Jamie Demetriou and Amelia Dimoldenberg.

Saturday Night Live UK airs at 10pm on Saturdays on Sky One, and also streams on NOW.

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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.