Claudia Winkleman quits BBC chat show after 1 series

The presenter launched The Claudia Winkleman Show in March following her departure from Strictly Come Dancing.

The show was well-received, achieving strong ratings, and Winkleman was offered a second series by the BBC.

However, she turned down the offer, saying that despite the positive feedback, she had not felt at ease in the host’s chair.

Claudia Winkleman quits BBC chat show after 1 series

“Sometimes you have to try something to see how it fits, and I realised I was just too nervous to enjoy it,” the TV star told the Mail.

“Maybe one day I will give it another try, but for now, I already have the best jobs in the world and absolutely love the shows I’m doing.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for giving me the opportunity, to the guests who agreed to come and chat to me, and the production team who were simply excellent.”

Claudia continues to present The Piano on Channel 4 and also took part in Channel 4’s Crufts coverage earlier this year.

She previously co-hosted Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly for nearly 20 years before both stepped down, insisting their departure had nothing to do with other opportunities.

Ed Havard, director of entertainment at the BBC, praised the TV star’s hosting style and confirmed she would continue working with the broadcaster.

Mr Havard said: “Claudia’s warmth and quick wit made The Claudia Winkleman Show an absolute joy.

“Whilst we loved the show, we fully respect her decision and would like to thank Claudia and the brilliant team at So Television for bringing the series to screen on the BBC.

“As the host of the country’s most-watched show, Claudia will be back on the BBC very soon when The Celebrity Traitors returns later this year, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for the new band of celebs.”

The seven-episode chat show ran on Friday nights from March and was produced by So Television, the company behind The Graham Norton Show.

While Ms Winkleman’s guests included big names such as Jeff Goldblum, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Saunders, and Dan Levy, some critics suggested the show struggled to match the star power of Mr Norton’s autumn and winter line-ups, which often feature award-season Hollywood A-listers.

There was also debate about the challenges faced by female chat show hosts in connecting with both guests and audiences, with reference made to short-lived shows by Davina McCall, Charlotte Church, and Ruby Wax.

Claudia has filmed a new series of Celebrity Traitors earlier this summer, which will return in the autumn.

She recalled feeling similarly anxious about hosting Traitors, saying: “I phoned my husband from the Scottish castle, holding ceremonial pouches and red leather fingerless gloves I’d got off Amazon, and said, ‘I’ve had a good run, this is where it comes to an end’.

“This is also how I feel about this show.”

Did you watch any of the Claudia Winkleman show? Let us know in the comments.