Viewers have given their verdict following the first episode of The Claudia Winkleman Show - and one element of the programme has left fans divided.
The former Strictly Come Dancing host has taken over from Graham Norton and is, for seven weeks, welcoming guests to a swish, new London studio for a natter.
The inaugural episode saw the 54-year-old star joined by Jeff Goldblum, Jennifer Saunders, Vanessa Williams and Tom Allen. But they weren’t the only people we heard from.
While Norton invites a couple of audience members to share their anecdotes in the ‘Big Red Chair’ at the end of each episode, Winkleman’s show sees people in the crowd chip in throughout the whole affair.
It’s a bit that’s proven to be divisive, with one fan posting on X: “Guests are fab. Loving hearing them all chatting away. Don’t need the weird audience forced interaction bits.”
The Independent’s TV critic Nick Hilton agreed, writing: “Sometimes it works [...] but generally it breaks the flow of the conversation.
Recap the show as it happened below...
Highlights
- Claudia Winkleman unveils suitably stylish set
- Behind the scenes of some of the UK's biggest chat shows
- 'A classic affair with potential': Read our TV critic's review
- Audience participation divides viewers
- Who's on the show next week?
When is the Claudia Winkleman Show on?
20:00 , Rachel McGrathThe BBC is airing the first episode at 10.40pm tonight - in the slot usually occupied by Graham Norton’s self-titled programme.
The episode has been pre-recorded - just as Graham’s are - and guest Tom Allen has hinted that it’ll be a lot of fun.
He wrote in a comment on Instagram: “It was FABULOUS to be part of!”
Who are the guests on tonight's episode?
20:15 , Rachel McGrathGraham typically welcomes an eclectic mix of stars to the studio every week, and that’ll be no different now that Claudia is in charge.
Tonight’s line-up is led by Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum, who is in town to promote the latest album from his band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.
He’ll be joined by actor Vanessa Williams - who is currently playing Miranda Priestly in the West End version of The Devil Wears Prada - while national treasure Jennifer Saunders will be chatting about her new film, The Magic Faraway Tree.
Comedian Tom Allen has nabbed the final spot on the sofa. He’ll be discussing his debut novel, Common Decency.
Claudia admits nerves over chat show debut
20:45 , Rachel McGrathOur Clauds is never one to mince her words and she’s been her usual, honest self when quizzed on how she’s feeling about the seven-episode run.
When asked how it feels to be fronting her own show, she admitted: “Really scary.”
In a chat with the BBC, Claudia continued: “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. We’ll soon find out how it goes…”
Revealing how it feels to take over from Graham - who she stood in for last year - the star continued: “It’s an enormous honour. 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. To be in the same slot is a total privilege and also completely nerve wracking.”
Behind the scenes of the UK's biggest chat shows
21:15 , Rachel McGrathThe likes of Graham Norton make chat show hosting look easy - but that doesn’t mean it’s always plain sailing behind the scenes.
Our culture news editor Lauren Morris has quizzed some of British TV’s top producers on what it’s like working on the shows.
And they certainly had some stories to tell...
Champagne, tears and bizarre riders: Behind the scenes of the UK’s biggest chat shows
Watch: Fringe-free Claudia's infamous S Club 7 interview
21:45 , Rachel McGrathThis one never gets old, does it?
Claudia has been on our screens for over two decades now, and every so often, this classic clip does the rounds.
In the early 2000s, she was fronting the now-defunct BBC Three entertainment show Liquid when (some of) S Club 7 stopped by for a chat.
While things started reasonably well, a question about alleged poor pay soon sucked all of the air out of the room - with a furious PR storming onto the set to call the chat off.
Thankfully, the awkward moment didn’t throw Claudia off. It’s proof she’ll surely have no troubles managing a sofa of A-listers at her new gig...
Meet the stylist masterminding Claudia's wardrobe
22:15 , Rachel McGrathClaudia’s stylish fashion choices may seem effortless but whether she’s sporting sequins in the Strictly ballroom or chunky knits in the Traitors castle, a lot of thought goes into her ensembles.
And there’s one woman behind them all: Sinead McKeefry.
Clauds has had the stylist on speed dial for years and she tapped her up once again ahead of her new series.
Last year, Sinead sat down with our fashion team to spill on what it’s like working with the presenter and how she puts together her looks...
Claudia Winkleman’s stylist lifts the hood on her Traitors look secrets
10 minutes to go!
22:31 , Rachel McGrathIf you’re planning on settling in with a tea or something stronger then now’s the time to make it!
The Claudia Winkleman Show will be on air at 10.40pm. So go, go, go!
This is new - you don’t get this level of audience participation with Graham, do you?
Claudia has kicked things off by chatting to some of the guests sitting right at the front of the studio (which, might I add, is seriously swish).
Audience member Chris talks to birds on socials (I need to know more, to be honest)... I guess this chat makes him Claudia’s first guest?
Here’s a look at that lovely studio for you - the audience is very close to the action!
It’s giving cocktail lounge vibes and - dare I say it - makes Graham Norton’s studio look a little outdated… Maybe they’ll let him keep this one?
Oh Jeff is a lovely guest to have, isn’t he? He’s really gassing Claudia up, predicting a 30-year run and lavishing praise on the (lush) set design.
And now Trudy, who chose the sofa colour, is getting her flowers.
It’s well-deserved and I’m here for it... but this is an awful lot of interiors chat.
I bet Tom Allen didn’t have ‘explaining one-night stands to Jeff Goldblum’ on his 2026 bingo card...
Ever the smooth talker, Jeff is flogging his album in style.
I can’t lie, jazz isn’t my favourite (hate is a strong word...) but he’s even selling it to me.
And he’s, of course, looking as stylish as ever.
We’re barely 20 minutes in but viewers are getting their verdicts in early...
First thoughts about The Claudia Winkleman Show, not that much different from The Graham Norton Show really but I love her anyway 😁 #TheClaudiaWinklemanShow
— Estella Joyce 🌟 (@LelJoyce) March 13, 2026
Now i like claudia winkleman, i tuned in just to see what the show would be like, and i get that the set makes it feel more intimate, but its giving me sunday night vibes and im still trying to make the most of my friday
— sandypops (@sandypops6) March 13, 2026
Can’t believe the Instagram falconry guy is on the Claudia Winkleman Show
— Jade (@JadelynS) March 13, 2026
Oh, some more audience participation!
Is this going to be a regular thing? It kind of works, especially as the audience is sat so close… but I’m not totally sold just yet.
Next up it’s an audience member who... designs pencils. Which is more interesting than it sounds, I promise.
My big question is, what sort of Q&As do these audience members fill out before nabbing their spot in the crowd? How are the producers unearthing this increasingly random information?
I’m really enjoying Claudia so far! She’s such a pro.
This is a chatty bunch of guests and while talk shows are often at their best when things go off-script, there’s still promo to do - and she’s striking the balance well.
Also, kudos to the show’s editor (Steve). I wonder how long they were filming for…
Do nuns really sell their hair? I didn’t think my Google search would go this way, but here we are.
Thank you Jennifer Saunders, I guess.
Another audience member is chipping in now — she’s been helping toads cross the road to stop them from getting squashed. A thousand of them so far, apparently. Yes, really.
I cannot decide if I like these bits or not…
Tom has brought his A-game and I’m really here for it. When’s he getting his own show? That’s what I want to know.
He’s just answered the question “if you could save one animal, what would it be?” by making a tongue-in-cheek (and convincing) argument for not saving any.
Vanessa loves a namedrop, eh (that’s not a criticism).
Her latest anecdote is about a visit to Elton John’s house, where he dropped his trousers to show her his knee surgery scar.
I’m sure he’ll be thrilled she’s told that story...
Percy the dog is currently giving the whole sofa a masterclass in how to steal the show. Great work.
Ok, I had no idea Tom Allen was going to be in Titanique. And as Rose Dawson’s mother, naturally.
Never mind Jeff’s album, Jennifer’s film or A Devil Wears Prada.
I will be buying tickets to see him immediately.
Tom is really helping make these audience participation segments work.
You need a guest who can fire the one-liners out or these bits would fall totally flat.
The comedian is currently getting tips on how to speak to ghosts from an audience member who does it regularly.
This whole show is a bit of a fever dream, isn’t it? Again, not a bad thing.
Tom calls people putting furniture out on their driveway as “street tapas”. Sensational.
I’m stealing that one.
Ok this is the sort of anecdote that I’m really here for.
Jennifer Saunders is explaining how she and pal Dawn French once planned to split an ecstasy tablet between them.
“We kept it on Dawn’s mantelpiece and about about six months later, we were ready… and the pill had gone.”
“I bet your dog was looking lively that day,” Tom jokes (yes, I’ve mentioned him a lot, because he is undeniably the best guest on tonight’s sofa).
What a treat for Tom - Jeff Goldblum is reading his book aloud. Is it too late to get him on the audiobook?
And that’s it! That went by fast, didn’t it?!
Claudia has revealed who is on the show next week - she’ll be welcoming comedian Joanne McNally (love her), actor Guz Khan and singer Niall Horan.
'A classy affair with potential'
23:28 , Rachel McGrathOur TV critic Nick Hilton has given his verdict on tonight’s show, awarding it three stars.
“Throwing a new chat format straight into primetime is daunting, but The Claudia Winkleman Show has the potential to be a stylish, televised cocktail party,” he writes.
“The ingredients are there – and they have the right mixologist – but they might need to tweak the recipe.”
Claudia Winkleman’s first ever talk show is a witty affair with brilliant potential
And now the credits have rolled, here’s what viewers are saying.
It seems the general consensus is that it wasn’t a bad start - and it’s not just me who isn’t totally sold on the audience participation...
People critiquing #TheClaudiaWinklemanShow like it’s meant to be University Challenge hosted by her off of Strictly. It’s light, daft and Claudia’s doing exactly what she does best. Give it a minute, it’ll find its feet. pic.twitter.com/6UAXNuN8cE
— Danno 🤓 (@dbuk86) March 13, 2026
Not terrible by any means, but obviously, it's a completely different vibe to Graham. The crunch will be the next two weeks' guest lists and viewing figures. If both start to slide, it's probably going to be very difficult to get them back.
— VoiceOfTheMysterons (@Mysteron_Voice) March 13, 2026
😳😳😳#TheClaudiaWinklemanShow
Loved #TheClaudiaWinklemanShow Can't remember the last time I sat and watched something all the way through without reaching for my phone. @jeffGoldblumMSO a genius booking! Well done @ClaudiaWinkle you can stop being nervous now! ❤️
— Karen Sales (@MsKarenSales) March 13, 2026
If this was Graham Norton, this line up would be disappointing, but Jeff Goldblum is interviewing gold, simply because he has a tendency to agree with everything you say to him. Perhaps it should be Claudia asking *all* the questions though.
— VoiceOfTheMysterons (@Mysteron_Voice) March 13, 2026
😳😳😳 #TheClaudiaWinklemanShow
Guests are doing a lot of heavy lifting but I guess Claudia isn’t Graham and will find her feet eventually, she is a natural at engaging. #TheClaudiaWinklemanShow
— Put The Telly On (@putthetellyon) March 13, 2026
Loving #TheClaudiaWinklemanShow. She is an excellent host. Guests are fab. Loving hearing them all chatting away. Don’t need the weird audience forced interaction bits.
— Tam (@Tam__80) March 13, 2026
End of review. 📺
