Former American talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has revealed that she is considering television opportunities in the United Kingdom. Speaking during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, broadcast on BBC One on October 16, 2026, the 68-year-old entertainer shared that she misses the creative collaboration and audience interaction that defined her long-running career.
DeGeneres stepped away from American television after her self-titled daytime program ended its 19-season run on June 17, 2022. Following her departure from US entertainment, she and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, relocated to a historic estate in the English Cotswolds in 2024.
Reflecting on a Potential UK Television Return
During her interview with Graham Norton, DeGeneres candidly discussed her current professional status and her longing for production work. “I’ve nothing really going on and I really miss being on TV,” she said. “I miss a lot about it – laughing with the writers and the audience. I think about doing stuff here.”
The comedian also joked about the diverse range of broadcasting formats available to British viewers, highlighting niche and reality series. She playfully noted the abundance of programming centered around everyday hobbies, referencing pottery contests, sewing competitions, and shows featuring people watching television.
While her remarks have generated significant media attention and sparked rumors of a comeback, industry reports emphasize that DeGeneres has not yet announced a formal partnership with a UK network or confirmed a specific television project.
Life in the Cotswolds and Past Controversy
The move to the UK marked a major lifestyle shift for DeGeneres and de Rossi. The couple settled in the British countryside following the 2024 US presidential election. In previous interviews, DeGeneres praised the peaceful pace of English village life, noting the charming architecture and polite local culture.
The relocation also followed the conclusion of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which faced public scrutiny in 2020 after former employees raised allegations concerning workplace culture. DeGeneres subsequently addressed the staff and viewers on air, acknowledging internal shortcomings and implementing operational changes before the show concluded in 2022.
Reflecting on her reception in Britain, DeGeneres compared it to her experience coming out publicly as a lesbian in 1997. She noted that while her early career disclosure met considerable resistance in the United States, she has felt warmly embraced and celebrated by audiences in London and across the UK.
What Lies Ahead for DeGeneres?
Although DeGeneres has kept a relatively low profile since moving across the Atlantic-occasionally being spotted with fellow high-profile expatriates in Oxfordshire-her recent television comments suggest an openness to returning to the screen. Aside from her potential interest in British television projects, she also announced plans to reprise her iconic voice role as Dory in an upcoming Finding Nemo short.
For now, her remarks on BBC One point to a personal desire to reconnect with studio production, leaving the door open for future creative ventures on British airwaves.
