The Claudia Winkleman show begins with huge guests
The Claudia Winkleman Show is new for 2026!
After months of rumours, the BBC finally confirmed The Claudia Winkleman Show at the end of 2025, a brand new chat show hosted by The Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman.
Produced by the company behind The Graham Norton Show, the new series will see Claudia welcome a whole host of famous guests from the worlds of film, television, music and beyond to her sofa for lively conversation, with the help of a studio audience.
Claudia Winkleman says: “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, added: “Claudia is a true national treasure - warm, witty and endlessly entertaining. 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."
Graham Stuart, Managing Director of So Television and Executive Producer, then said: “Graham Norton has made the Friday night talk show slot a dazzling appointment to view. How can you possibly follow that? By booking a host equally as brilliant. So we have.”
When is it on TV?
It's now been confirmed The Claudia Winkleman Show starts at 10.40pm on Friday 13th March 2026, with weekly episodes.
What channel is it on?
The Claudia Winkleman Show will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Which guests will be on the show?
The show is kicking off in style, with a number of high-profile guests for episode one.
Hollywood actor Jeff Goldblum will feature, talking about 'Night Blooms' - the latest album from his band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.
Actress Vanessa Williams will also feature, reflecting on her turn in the West End smash hit The Devil Wears Prada. Jennifer Saunders will discuss her new film The Magic Faraway Tree, and comedian Josh Widdicombe will be on the sofa to introduce his new podcast Museum of Pop Culture.
Presenting high-profile shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Piano and The Traitors, Claudia has gained huge popularity over the last decade, with the 53-year-old being awarded an MBE in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.
Last year, Claudia announced she would be leaving her role on Strictly alongside best friend Tess Daly, with the pair's final show together airing on Christmas Day in 2025.
Claudia, who joined the main show in 2014, wrote on her Instagram page: 'It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career. From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for. I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to co-hosting on Saturday nights.
'Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it. The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives - all utterly amazing. I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights. As for Tess - I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.' (sic)
The Claudia Winkleman Show will begin on 13th March.
Now read:
Claudia Winkleman receives MBE at Windsor Castle
Everything you need to know about The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman MBE
All of the faces we'd like to see replace Tess and Claudia on Strictly