Beloved broadcaster Claudia Winkleman is embarking on a major new chapter, securing her own primetime chat show on BBC One following her departure from Strictly Come Dancing.
From the Ballroom to the Sofa: A New Primetime Venture
The BAFTA-winning host, 53, will launch The Claudia Winkleman Show in spring 2026. The format promises a "sofa full of stars," featuring celebrity interviews in front of a live studio audience. This marks a significant shift for Winkleman, who became a household name presenting Strictly and the smash-hit reality series The Traitors.
"I can't quite believe it, and I'm incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity," Winkleman said. Characteristically self-deprecating, she added: "I'm obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I'm over the moon they're letting me try."
The announcement follows her exit from Strictly Come Dancing, which she co-hosted with Tess Daly since 2014. The pair announced their departure in a joint Instagram statement in October 2025, with their final pre-recorded festive episode airing on Christmas Day.
Produced by the Team Behind a Chat Show Legend
In a major vote of confidence, the new programme will be produced by So Television, the company responsible for the award-winning The Graham Norton Show. So Television's managing director, Graham Stuart, stated: "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."
Winkleman is no stranger to the format, having filled in for Norton on his show earlier in 2025 while he was in Australia. The BBC has also recently agreed a new three-year deal with Norton and So Television, securing three more series of his show starting with its 34th run in 2026.
A Celebrated Career Culminating in National Treasure Status
Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC's head of entertainment commissioning, hailed Winkleman as "a true national treasure – warm, witty and endlessly entertaining." She praised the presenter's "extraordinary ability to put people at ease and bring out the very best in them."
Winkleman's broadcasting career spans decades, beginning with roles on BBC radio and shows like Comic Relief. She joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, initially presenting the companion show It Takes Two before stepping up to the main Saturday night show alongside Daly in 2014. The duo won the BAFTA for Best Entertainment Programme in 2024.
Her hosting of The Traitors earned her the BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance in 2023. She continues to host both the main series and The Celebrity Traitors. Her services to broadcasting were recognised in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours, where she was made an MBE.
The Claudia Winkleman Show will air on BBC One and be available on BBC iPlayer. Further details regarding celebrity guests and specific broadcast dates are expected to be announced closer to the launch.
