In a playful and self-deprecating teaser for her forthcoming BBC chat show, Claudia Winkleman has mocked her well-known affection for fake tan by slathering orange paint on her face and declaring, "I'm ready!" The 54-year-old television personality confirmed the launch date for the new series, which will premiere on Friday, March 13, at 10:40 PM on BBC One.
Teaser Trailer Highlights Claudia's Signature Humour
The promotional clip showcases Winkleman's characteristic wit as she places small oranges into a bucket of gloop, joking that the colour "isn't orange enough" for her preferences. After checking the paint shade, she quips, "Yes, just still not orange enough..." before addressing viewers directly: "Hi, it's Claud here. I have a new show, I am really getting prepared. They want me to tell you it starts on Friday the 13th, well, I've had a good run." The teaser concludes with her applying the paint to her face, pouting at the camera, and walking off-screen with a confident, "Yep, I'm ready."
Show Details and Celebrity Line-Up
Scheduled to air on BBC One during Friday evenings in Spring 2026, The Claudia Winkleman Show will feature the host interviewing prominent figures from film, television, music, and other fields in front of a live audience. The set design is reportedly inspired by the aesthetic of The Traitors castle, aiming to replicate a look now closely associated with Winkleman. Initial confirmed guests include Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum, Absolutely Fabulous legend Jennifer Saunders, comedian Tom Allen, and Vanessa Williams from The Devil Wears Prada.
Claudia's Comments and BBC Endorsement
Expressing her excitement about the new venture, Winkleman stated, "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." Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, praised Winkleman, calling her "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, whether they’re global superstars or members of the audience. It's very exciting that she will be fronting her very own show on the BBC, and we can't wait for viewers to join Claudia and her sofa full of stars."
Fake Tan Anecdotes and Alternative Methods
Winkleman's fondness for fake tan is no secret, and she has previously shared unconventional tanning methods. On BBC1's Would I Lie to You?, she recalled using gravy granules as a substitute when her usual product was unavailable during filming. She explained, "I didn't have my normal fake tan there because I was in the castle, so what I thought was, 'Let's just use something!'. I don't think I'm allowed to say a brand, but it was gravy granules. I'd had a spray tan, but it was episode five - round table, you're wearing tweed, but what else do you need? Gravy granules. They came from a shop - there are shops there - and it's really good. It really works." Additionally, she has admitted to using Bisto and tea bags as tanning alternatives during her student days three decades ago.
Juggling Multiple Roles and Future Projects
Winkleman has rearranged filming for the chat show while managing other presenting commitments, including The Traitors, The Piano, and her new role on Channel 4's Crufts coverage. A television insider noted, "There’s huge anticipation for The Claudia Winkleman Show, though the BBC are keeping all the details under wraps until the last moment. They’ve pulled out all the stops, including ensuring Claudia was able to juggle two huge roles in the same month." The insider further revealed that after wrapping up Crufts and her chat show, The Traitors team will relocate to Scotland in late April to prepare for the next series.
Crufts Presentation and Team Dynamics
For Crufts, Winkleman will join presenters Clare Balding, Paralympic champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds, and TV presenter Radzi Chinyanganya. She expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "I absolutely love dogs and there is literally nowhere else on earth I'd rather be. I can't wait to join this incredible team, and I'm so grateful to Channel 4 for allowing me to be part of it. I have a pocket rammed with treats." Balding, who has led Channel 4's Crufts coverage since 2010 and participated in The Celebrity Traitors in 2025, commented, "I'm really looking forward to working with Claudia, who is a fantastic addition to the team. She really loves dogs and will bring an additional element of fun, as well as an intelligent curiosity and, of course, style." Pete Andrews, Head of Sport at Channel 4, added, "Crufts holds a special place in the hearts of Channel 4 viewers. There is no other event like it, and it is such a thrill to be welcoming Claudia to our brilliant gang of presenters and adding to our celebration of all things dog."
The Claudia Winkleman Show is set to debut on March 13 at 10:40 PM, marking a new chapter in the host's diverse television career.
