Claudia Winkleman has described the launch of her new chat show, airing in the same coveted slot as Graham Norton’s, as both a "total privilege and also completely nerve-racking". The presenter, known for her distinctive style, is set to debut The Claudia Winkleman Show this Friday on BBC One, admitting the new venture feels "really scary".
The inaugural episode will feature a star-studded line-up including Hollywood actor Jeff Goldblum, actresses Vanessa Williams and Jennifer Saunders, and comedian Tom Allen. The programme will be filmed weekly in front of a live studio audience, promising an intimate and engaging format.
Discussing her hosting style, Winkleman revealed her guests would be seated on a "green sofa". She quipped, "I’m trying to dress like Michael Aspel with a touch of Michael Caine." Her aim is to foster a relaxed atmosphere, stating, "I know my job is to make sure the guests have a great time and feel relaxed – I imagine I’ll ask them about their favourite biscuits, and their dog and people will actually fall asleep."
Addressing the direct competition with The Graham Norton Show, Winkleman expressed immense respect. "It’s an enormous honour," she said, adding, "He is the king, the best of the best. He’s incredibly generous and charming and easy to talk to and that’s why he always has the best guests." She reiterated her feeling of it being a "total privilege and also completely nerve-racking" to share the timeslot.
Having recently stepped down from presenting Strictly Come Dancing after 15 years and more recently fronting the hit series The Traitors, Winkleman cited other chat show hosts like Jonathan Ross and Alan Carr as inspirations. She also noted, "I always have Radio 2 or 4 on and love listening to people ask and answer questions."
With the show launching on Friday 13th, Winkleman confessed to being superstitious.
She plans to offer celebrity guests "beer, crisps and some biscuits I’ll have made, which will be both raw and burnt". Reflecting on the date, she joked, "All I can tell you is that if I see a single magpie, I salute them and ask them about their husband or wife. I then think the day’s a write off and try and get back into bed with my eyes closed. Starting on Friday 13 means it’s going to have a freakishly short run."
The BBC recently released a 32-second teaser for the show, featuring Winkleman in a self-deprecating moment. The clip showed her, with her trademark long dark fringe, heavily lined eyes, and tanned face, stirring a large vat of bright orange paint before daubing a stripe across her cheek.
