Claudia Winkleman has confirmed that her BBC chat show, The Claudia Winkleman Show, will not return for a second series, revealing she was "too nervous to enjoy" the experience. The show launched earlier this year on BBC One in the Friday night slot between series of Strictly Come Dancing, following Winkleman's departure from the dance competition after 15 years.
Why the Show Ended
Winkleman, who also hosts The Traitors and its spin-off The Celebrity Traitors, said in a statement: "I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for giving me the opportunity, to the guests who agreed to come and chat to me, and the production team who were simply excellent. Sometimes you have to try something to see how it fits, and I realised I was just too nervous to enjoy it. 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."
Guests and Reception
The show featured celebrity interviews with guests including Jennifer Saunders, Dan Levy, and Jeff Goldblum. Despite Winkleman's nerves, BBC director of entertainment Ed Havard praised the show, saying: "Claudia’s warmth and quick wit made The Claudia Winkleman Show an absolute joy. Whilst we loved the show, we fully respect her decision and would like to thank Claudia and the brilliant team at So Television for bringing the series to screen on the BBC."
Winkleman's Departure from Strictly
The chat show came after Winkleman and co-host Tess Daly stepped down from Strictly Come Dancing in December 2025, midway through the 23rd series. They hosted their final episode on December 20, 2025, receiving a standing ovation from the audience, which included Daly's husband, broadcaster Vernon Kay. The Queen also paid tribute to the presenters during the finale.
What's Next for Winkleman
Winkleman remains a key figure at the BBC, with The Celebrity Traitors set to return later this year. Havard added: "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, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for the new band of celebs."
