claudia Winkleman Lands BBC Chatshow, Solidifying Primetime Status
The BBC has confirmed that television personality Claudia Winkleman will host The Claudia Winkleman Show this spring, further cementing her position as one of the broadcaster’s most valuable assets. The move comes after Winkleman’s successful runs fronting both Strictly Come Dancing and the hit reality series Celebrity Traitors.
Winkleman expressed her gratitude, stating, “I can’t quite believe it and I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing chance. I’m obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I’m over the moon they’re letting me try.”
The announcement signals the BBC’s commitment to retaining Winkleman, a star who has become a highly sought-after figure in primetime television. The corporation intends to invest meaningful resources into the new program to secure high-profile guests for its launch. This decision also preempts potential attempts by rival broadcasters to recruit Winkleman.
Celebrity Traitors proved to be a ratings juggernaut, captivating audiences with over 11 million viewers – the largest as the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special in 2024. Winkleman’s ability to navigate the show’s unique blend of tension and absurdity was widely credited as a key factor in its success.
Her departure from Strictly Come Dancing,alongside Tess Daly,announced in October,immediately sparked speculation about the BBC’s plans for Winkleman’s future.The new chatshow appears to be the answer, though it is not intended to replace The Graham Norton Show, which has been renewed for another three years. Both programs will be produced by So Television, with Norton’s airing in the autumn and winter and Winkleman’s debuting in the spring.
However, the talkshow format presents inherent risks. Winkleman’s early career included an interview halted by a publicist on the BBC’s Liquid News, and the history of chatshows hosted by presenters at the peak of their popularity is mixed. One senior official noted that previous attempts, such as Davina McCall’s 2006 show, have struggled to find an audience.
The television chatshow landscape has become increasingly competitive with the rise of digital platforms like YouTube, leading to declining viewership. Despite this, the format remains a significant component of the BBC’s programming schedule, with The Graham Norton Show consistently attracting over 2 million viewers per episode. Winkleman has previously served as a guest host on Norton’s program.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, the head of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, lauded winkleman as “a true national treasure – warm, witty and endlessly entertaining,” adding
Why: The BBC wants to retain Claudia Winkleman, a popular and valuable television personality, and capitalize on her recent success with shows like Strictly Come Dancing and celebrity Traitors. They also aim to preempt other broadcasters from recruiting her.
Who: Claudia Winkleman will host The Claudia Winkleman Show. Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment commissioning at the BBC, played a key role in the decision. Graham Norton will continue hosting his show,produced by the same company.
What: The BBC announced a new chatshow, *the Claudia Winkle
