Claudia Winkleman Jokingly Dismisses Her Own BBC Chat Show as 'Awful'
In a surprising and self-deprecating move, television presenter Claudia Winkleman has publicly urged fans not to watch her new BBC chat show, branding it "awful" and suggesting everyone "pretend it never happened." The Traitors host, 54, made the remarks during a radio interview, adding a humorous twist to the criticism the show has received from some viewers.
Star-Studded Debut Meets Mixed Reviews
The Claudia Winkleman Show launched with an impressive lineup of celebrity guests, including Hollywood actor Jeff Goldblum, comedy icon Jennifer Saunders from Absolutely Fabulous, comedian Tom Allen, and Vanessa Williams of The Devil Wears Prada fame. Despite this high-profile panel, the series faced a divided response from audiences at home.
While many critics praised Winkleman's warm interviewing style, others took to social media to express their disappointment. One viewer wrote, "The Claudia Winkleman Show was dreadful, boring and she is not in any way able to ask interesting questions. She only came alive when a dog was on. Stick to Crufts Claudia. This is a big no." Another commented, "Very, very boring, and I am a fan of Claudia, usually. All guests very Me-me-me. Not a patch on Graham Norton's show."
Winkleman's Humorous Response to Criticism
When asked about the upcoming second episode on Heart Radio Breakfast, Winkleman told hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston, "I’m not having this conversation. The first one was so awful. Everyone needs to stop speaking and listen to aunty Claud... I suggest people don’t watch [it]. There’s only a few more, let's pretend it never happened."
She elaborated with a witty analogy, comparing the show to a failed dinner party: "You ever had that? People come round for dinner and you make something disgusting and you go, 'Never mind, thank you' and give them a little handshake and you go, 'Let’s wipe it'. You know the machine in Men In Black? The end. There are people who can do this and I'm not one of them."
Contrasting Experience at Crufts Brings Joy
In stark contrast to her chat show woes, Winkleman recently found immense joy while hosting Crufts on Channel 4 alongside Clare Balding. She described the experience as "the best day of my life," even claiming it surpassed her wedding day. The event, held at Birmingham's NEC, attracts over 150,000 visitors and features competitions like Best in Show, Fly Ball, and Agility.
During her stint, Winkleman immersed herself in the world of canine competitions, interviewing guests and dog owners. A highlight was her attempt to join the Southern Golden Retriever Society’s Display Team, a group of 22 dogs and handlers performing complex routines. After brief training, she partnered with a dog named Honey, but the routine quickly went awry.
As Honey wandered off and refused to follow cues, Winkleman humorously struggled, telling Balding, "Clare, are you ready to be both appalled and alarmed?" Despite the chaos, she praised the team's "majestic" performance and reflected, "I quite liked my wedding, this is better."
The incident showcased Winkleman's playful personality and ability to find humor in unexpected situations, a trait that endears her to fans even as she navigates the challenges of her new chat show.
