Top BBC presenter in trouble for praising drugs

Graham Norton, one of BBC television's top presenters, was in hot water after he revealed he had taken "loads of drugs" and hailed ecstasy as "just fantastic".

The broadcasting corporation, which recently signed up Norton on a new multi-million-pound (-dollar, -euro) three-year contract, defended the 43-year-old's comments, made to women's magazine Marie Claire.

"The issues that Graham discusses in this interview are aimed at an adult audience and reflect the frank and open nature of his personality," the BBC said.
The openly gay Irishman had told Marie Claire: "The only time I took ecstasy was years and years ago. It was absolutely amazing. It was just fantastic -- really, really fun.
"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."
Asked about cocaine, he said: "I think that coke is middle-aged stuff. It's quite a slow drug that involves coffee tables. To me, it's a middle-class choice of drug."
The BBC defended their presenter as Norton came in for criticism.
A spokesman for the National Drug Prevention Alliance said: "We're appalled, it's absolutely mind-blowing that somebody has said that."
Martin Barnes, chief executive of the charity DrugScope, said: "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.
"We shouldn't rush to condemn admissions of drug use but it is reasonable to ask that celebrities recognise a responsibility -- that for many people there is a downside to drug use."
Deaths from ecstasy have risen in recent years in Britain, with 26 fatalities recorded in 1999 and 48 in 2004 -- an 85 percent rise. Norton, known for his flamboyant, camp presenting style, joined the BBC from Channel Four television in a high-profile move two years ago.