Claudia Winkleman is set to make television history this week as she becomes the BBC's first female host of a prime-time chat show. The 54-year-old presenter, already known for her work on The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing, will front the inaugural episode of The Claudia Winkleman Show on Friday 13th. Despite her success, Winkleman has been characteristically self-deprecating, joking that she will be 'awful' and that the show is 'an error'.
The show marks a significant milestone in Winkleman's career, which has seen her become the highest-rating host on British television, surpassing Ant and Dec after their 24-year reign. The format, produced by So Television (the company behind The Graham Norton Show), will air in the same Friday 10.40pm slot. Winkleman has cited Norton, Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr, and US host Chelsea Handler as influences.
The first episode features guests including Jeff Goldblum, Vanessa Williams, Tom Allen, and Jennifer Saunders. The set is described as 'muted, classy and clubby', with a green velvet sofa. Winkleman has promised lively conversation with a dressed-up studio audience, though she joked she might ask guests about their favourite biscuits and dogs, causing viewers to 'fall asleep'.
Winkleman's recent appearance at Crufts for Channel 4 demonstrated her natural rapport with audiences and animals alike. Her contribution helped the dog show achieve live ratings of 1.5 million, double Channel 4's Sunday average. She described it as 'the best day of my life', even better than her wedding.
The chat show caps a busy period for Winkleman, who is also filming the next series of The Piano. Richard Osman, speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, called the show 'the right idea at the right time with the right person'. Winkleman herself remains modest, saying: 'To be in the same slot as Graham Norton is a total privilege and also completely nerve-racking.'
