Storm over E and coke comments

The comic said he had ‘tried loads of drugs’ and said ecstasy was ‘amazing’.

His comments were immediately seized upon by MPs, anti-drug campaigners and the press, who branded the 43-year-old ‘irresponsible’.

In an interview with Janet Street Porter in Marie Claire magazine, Norton said getting high on ecstasy was ‘just great - really, really fun’.

He added: ‘I’ve tried loads of drugs but it would bug me if I got busted in the tabloids as I take them so rarely. The downsides of drugs are buying them and people who you end up doing them with.”

Norton, who has a three-year £7.5million deal with the BBC, added: ‘I think coke’s middle-aged stuff. It’s quite a slow drug that involves coffee tables.’

Desmond Delaney, whose 18-year-old-daughter Siobhan died after taking ecstasy, told The Sun: ‘He should be locked up for this and at the very least banned from the telly.’

Tory MP John Whittingdale said: ‘To boast about the extent of your drug abuse and enjoyment sends a message which is extremely dangerous and against everything which everyone, including the BBC, is trying to do.’

Labour MP Gwyn Prosser said that Norton's comments were ‘grossly irresponsible’.

However BBC refused to criticise the comic, saying: ‘The issues reflect the frank and open nature of his personality.’

In the same interview, Norton said he admired George Michael as he was 'probably living the life I'd like to live, but I don't have the nerve.

Norton confessed that he once went cruising on London's Hampstead Heath, like the singer, but said: 'It was terrifying. I didn't enjoy it.'

Published: 7 Oct 2006