When does The Claudia Winkleman Show start? BBC shares hilarious first look video as it's revealed who is on the show
Claudia will be interviewing a host of celebrities on her very own sofaClaudia Winkleman fans will be thrilled to hear that the BBC has confirmed the start date and who is on her first show.
The Claudia Winkleman Show will see the TV star interviewing a huge line-up of celebrity guests on her very own sofa.
Claudia’s latest telly project comes just two months after she bowed out of Strictly Come Dancing after 11 years.
Together with co-host Tess Daly, she left Strictly for good on Christmas Day.
Claudia was back on screens within days for the 2026 series of The Traitors, but fans are likely to be having withdrawal symptoms after it ended three weeks later.
The great news is, The Claudia Winkleman Show will be on the telly sooner than you think. Here’s when it starts, what time it’s on and her first line-up of celebrity guests.
Plus, scroll down for a cheeky first look. Claudia paints herself orange in it, so it’s worth a watch!
The Claudia Winkleman Show on the BBC
Claudia’s brand new show is being produced by the same team behind The Graham Norton Show. Considering Graham has won multi-awards for his BBC chat show, she is in very safe hands.
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Each episode will see Claudia on her very own sofa as she chats to TV and film stars, music icons and all the famous faces in between.
She will also have her very own live studio audience who will be “helping” her with her “lively conversations”. Sounds fun, right?!
BBC bosses are certainly excited about Claudia’s new chat show. Confirming exactly why she has been given her very own programme, they have described Claudia as a “true national treasure”.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, said: “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.”
Claudia reacts to news of her own chat show
In true Claudia style, she is convinced The Claudia Winkleman Show will be a big fat flop. But we all know it will be quite the opposite.
Fans were devastated to see her leave Strictly Come Dancing after 11 years and they love her on The Traitors.
Speaking about her big chat show news, 53-year-old Claudia said: “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.” As are we, Claudia!
How many episodes?
The BBC has confirmed the first series of The Claudia Winkleman Show will consist of seven episodes. Each show will be just shy of an hour long, lasting for 50 minutes.
Graham Stuart, Executive Producer, says: “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.”
Who is on the show?
The BBC has revealed the first line-up of guests Claudia will be chatting to – and it’s pretty impressive. She’s got Hollywood stars and British favourites to kick things off.
Claudia will be chatting to Jurassic Park and Wicked legend, Jeff Goldblum. Away from the big screen, he is in the band Jeff Goldblum And The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra and they have a new album out, Night Blooms. He’ll be telling Claudia all about it.
Vanessa Williams will also be on the sofa. She’s there to chat about her lead role in the West End musical, The Devil Wears Prada.
Absolutely Fabulous legend Jennifer Saunders is bringing the laughs. Claudia will be asking her about her new film, The Magic Faraway Tree.
Comedian Tom Allen completes the line-up. You’ll also be cackling as he tells Claudia about his new book, Common Decency.
The Claudia Winkleman Show: When does it start?
Claudia is slipping into Graham Norton’s shoes on a Friday evening. There are just two shows left of The Graham Norton Show in its current run, with series highlights episodes planned for this week and next.
This means Graham will bow out on Friday March 6, ready for Claudia to take over the reins the following week.
The BBC has confirmed exactly this, giving a start date for The Claudia Winkleman Show as Friday March 13, 2026.
The exact time slot has also been announced, and she really is taking over the baton from Graham. Like his show, The Claudia Winkleman Show will start at 10.40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It has the same end time of 11.30pm.
Looking forward to it, Clauds!
