Claudia Winkleman Jokingly Slams Her Own Chat Show as 'Awful'
Former Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman has made headlines by branding her new self-titled chat show "awful" in a light-hearted yet candid radio interview. The 54-year-old broadcaster expressed reluctance to discuss the programme, which aired its first episode last weekend to a mix of praise and criticism from viewers and critics alike.
Mixed Reactions to the Debut Episode
The Claudia Winkleman Show premiered on BBC One, featuring high-profile guests including actor Jeff Goldblum, singer Vanessa Williams, comedian Jennifer Saunders, and presenter Tom Allen. While some viewers applauded Winkleman's warmth and wit during the 45-minute episode, others took to social media to label it "boring," sparking a broader debate about the show's entertainment value.
During an appearance on the Heart Radio Breakfast Show with hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston, Winkleman was quizzed about the programme ahead of its second episode airing on Friday evening. In response, she humorously tried to change the subject, stating, "I’m not having this conversation. The first one was so awful."
Winkleman's Self-Deprecating Humour Takes Centre Stage
Despite reassurances from Holden and Theakston, Winkleman continued to mock her own performance, joking that "everyone needs to stop speaking and listen to aunty Claud." She referenced an embarrassing moment from the show, saying, "I clapped a man for moving his ears," and attempted to shift the conversation to her recent involvement with Crufts.
When reminded by Theakston that she was on the radio show to promote her chat series, Winkleman responded with playful defiance: "If you mention it again, I'm going to get violent. I suggest people don’t watch it. There’s only a few more, let's pretend it never happened."
She further compared the experience to a disastrous dinner party, adding, "You ever had that? People come round for dinner and you make something disgusting and you go, ‘Never mind, thank you’ and give them a little handshake and you go, 'Let’s wipe it'. You know the machine in Men In Black? The end."
Praise from Graham Norton Amid the Backlash
Interestingly, the show has received support from Graham Norton, whose long-standing programme it temporarily replaces while on a seasonal break. Produced by Norton's company, So Television, the Irish presenter praised Winkleman's efforts, telling the Daily Mail, "What Claudia did was the Claudia Winkleman Show, and that's what she's supposed to be doing. She shouldn’t be trying to be me. She should be trying to be Claudia, and she nailed that."
Background and Future Prospects
Winkleman's chat show follows her exit from Strictly Come Dancing last year, where she and co-host Tess Daly announced their departure during the 2025 series, citing a desire to "pass on the baton." Their successors have yet to be officially announced, with rumoured contenders including Zoe Ball, Bradley Walsh, and Rylan Clark.
Refusing to accept compliments from Holden about the show's quality, Winkleman modestly concluded, "There are people who can do this and I'm not one of them." The Claudia Winkleman Show continues tonight at 10.40pm on BBC One, as audiences await to see if the presenter's self-deprecating humour will win over critics in future episodes.
