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Winkleman steps away
Claudia Winkleman has quit her BBC chat show, The Claudia Winkleman Show, after one series, saying she was “too nervous” to enjoy the conversations on her sofa.
The BBC said the show was made by Graham Norton's production company and ran for seven episodes, with Winkleman fronting the programme in the same Friday night slot on BBC One that Norton previously occupied.
In her statement, Winkleman said: “Sometimes you have to try something to see how it fits, and I realised I was just too nervous to enjoy it.”
The BBC’s Ed Havard said: “Claudia’s warmth and quick wit made The Claudia Winkleman Show an absolute joy,” while also saying the broadcaster “fully respect[s] her decision.”
Guests, ratings, and slot
The BBC reported that Winkleman interviewed guests including Lisa Kudrow, Jeff Goldblum, Niall Horan and Rachel Zegler, and also listed Ralph Fiennes, James McAvoy, Jamie Dornan, Vanessa Williams and incoming Strictly co-host Josh Widdicombe among other guests.
The BBC said most episodes of The Claudia Winkleman Show attracted an average combined audience of between 1.5m and 2m viewers, while it noted that Winkleman’s show generally attracts an audience of between 2.5m and 3m viewers when she hosts The Traitors.
The Guardian reported that Winkleman’s chatshow “only launched in March, with just seven episodes made,” and said the ratings for the programme attracted an average combined audience of between 1.5 million and 2 million viewers according to the BBC.
Ed Havard also framed the future, telling the BBC: “As the host of the country’s most-watched show, Claudia will be back on the BBC very soon when The Celebrity Traitors returns later this year.”
What happens next
Winkleman’s departure comes as the BBC said she will return when The Celebrity Traitors returns later this year, with Ed Havard adding that the broadcaster “can’t wait to see what she has in store for the new band of celebs.”
“The Claudia Winkleman Show is ending after just one season”
The BBC also said the chat show was produced by So Television, the production company co-founded by Graham Norton, which also makes his talk series.
Female First reported that viewing figures for the first season of seven episodes “didn’t live up to expectations,” and said the show would not be back for a second series.
In her own explanation for stepping away, Winkleman told viewers: “Maybe one day I will give it another try, but for now I already have the best jobs in the world and absolutely love the shows I’m doing.”
