In a landmark move for British television, Claudia Winkleman is poised to become the BBC's first ever female chat show host. Her new programme, The Claudia Winkleman Show, will launch later this year, sharing the prestigious Friday night slot with veteran presenter Graham Norton.
Norton's Full Support for Winkleman's New Venture
Speaking on ITV's Lorraine on Thursday, 8th January 2026, Graham Norton addressed his close friend's groundbreaking new role. He clarified the scheduling, explaining that when his own series concludes at the end of February, Claudia's show will begin towards the end of March.
"When I finish at the end of February, I used to come back and do a kind of April, May series," Norton stated. "I stopped doing that a few years ago and this idea came up that Claudia could come and do it." He was quick to praise Winkleman's abilities, recalling her successful stint covering for him in February 2025. "She stood in for me last year and she did an amazing job. I thought she was very Claudia, and this is going to be even more Claudia because, you know, it's her own set, her own everything."
A Historic Moment for the BBC
Winkleman's seven-episode series marks a significant moment in the BBC's history. The broadcaster has confirmed she will welcome "the very best guests" to her sofa. In a characteristically self-deprecating statement, the Traitors presenter said: "I can't quite believe it and I'm incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity. I'm obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I'm over the moon they're letting me try."
Senior BBC executives have expressed their excitement. Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning, described Winkleman as "a true national treasure – warm, witty and endlessly entertaining." Patel-Knight added: "She has an extraordinary ability to put people at ease and bring out the very best in them. It's very exciting that she will be fronting her very own show on the BBC."
Following in Illustrious Footsteps
Graham Stuart, Managing Director of So Television and Executive Producer, acknowledged the challenge of following Graham Norton's hugely successful tenure. "Graham Norton has made the Friday night talk show slot a dazzling appointment to view," Stuart noted. "How can you possibly follow that? By booking a host equally as brilliant. So we have."
The announcement solidifies Claudia Winkleman's position as one of the BBC's most versatile and beloved presenters. Her new chat show is anticipated to bring a fresh, distinctive energy to the Friday night schedule, carving out a unique space alongside the established format of Norton's own programme.
