Claudia Winkleman has stepped down from her BBC chatshow after just one series, saying she was "too nervous to enjoy" the conversations with guests. The presenter, known for hosting The Traitors and formerly Strictly Come Dancing, made the announcement after seven episodes of The Claudia Winkleman Show.
In a statement, Winkleman said she was grateful to the BBC, her guests, and the production team, but admitted the format proved too stressful. "Sometimes you have to try something to see how it fits, and I realised I was just too nervous to enjoy it," she said. "Maybe one day I will give it another try, but for now I already have the best jobs in the world."
The show launched in March and attracted an average combined audience of between 1.5 million and 2 million viewers, according to the BBC. Critics were divided, with The Guardian's Lucy Mangan describing the opening episode as an "unholy mess" despite praising Winkleman's talents.
Winkleman had previously filled in for Graham Norton, whose own show commands more than 2 million viewers per episode. Her departure highlights the challenges of the chatshow format, which has also proved difficult for other presenters, including Davina McCall, who regretted her 2006 attempt.
Ed Havard, the BBC's director of entertainment, said: "Claudia's warmth and quick wit made The Claudia Winkleman Show an absolute joy. Whilst we loved the show, we fully respect her decision." He confirmed Winkleman will return later this year for The Celebrity Traitors.
