Comic reveals he has a role in the new blockbustter

Phil Wang has revealed he has a role in the new Wonka film – and broke his arm while filming.

However, the comic says he cannot reveal much about what character he plays in the Timothée Chalamet-fronted movie, even though its world premiere is just four days away.

Speaking on the Graham Norton Show tonight, Wang said: ‘I can’t tell you much about it, but I get to sing and dance.  It is very exciting.  

‘I can tell you that I was dancing on a table, and it cracked in half, and I broke my arm. After I spoke to my mum, who happens to be a bone doctor, Timothée Chalamet joked, "That’s a lucky break!"’

Ironically, Wang’s sketch group Daphne once had a skit featuring Wonka as an evil slave-driver.

The comic also told Norton about his latest stand-up show Wang In There, Baby!, saying: ‘It’s my silliest show so far, and a recovery from the seriousness of the pandemic years.’

And he spoke about the differences between British audiences and those in America and Australia, saying: ‘In the States and Australia the audiences really want you to do well, and there is a lot of clapping, whereas British audiences just say, "That was quite good actually." 

Also on the show is Jennifer Saunders, talking about making her panto debut as Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the London Palladium.

She says: ‘I’m hoping for a large moustache, lots of booing and hissing.  It is such fun and a huge cavalcade of filth.  Parents will love it!

Asked about swashbuckling, she adds: ‘I was allowed a sword, but I am not sure a 65-year-old woman should have one – I forget all the choreography and poor Peter Pan has to be quite jaunty to miss being hit!’

• The Graham Norton Show on on BBC One and iPlayer from 10.40pm tonight. And Chalamet will be a guest on next week’s show.

Published: 24 Nov 2023