Graham Norton has come to the defence of Claudia Winkleman's new BBC chat show, which launched last week to mixed reviews. The programme, produced by Norton's company So Television, features A-list guests in a studio designed to evoke a 'cosy private members club feel'.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Norton said: 'What Claudia did was the Claudia Winkleman show, and that's what she's supposed to be doing. She shouldn't be trying to be me. She should be trying to be Claudia, and she nailed that.'
The debut episode included guests Jennifer Saunders and Jeff Goldblum, who discussed his preferred pencil. Critics were divided: The Independent gave it three stars, calling it a 'classy, witty affair that has brilliant potential' but noting it 'might need a few tweaks'. However, The Guardian described it as 'a mess', while inews labelled it 'one of her first major flops'.
Comedian Tom Allen, who appeared on the show, praised the audience engagement, likening it to 'Question Time for drunk celebrities'. The Claudia Winkleman Show is available on BBC iPlayer.
