Claudia Winkleman, one of the U.K.’s most familiar television personalities and the face of “The Traitors” and the outgoing host of “Strictly Come Dancing,” is stepping into a new spotlight. The BBC has officially commissioned “The Claudia Winkleman Show,” marking a major expansion of her on-screen presence with a primetime talk format set to debut in spring 2026.
A New Talk Show With Big Guests and Bigger Conversations
The BBC confirmed that the seven-episode series will feature Winkleman welcoming top names from film, TV, music, and more, all joining her on a studio-set sofa for lively, warm, and humorous conversations. Backed by an in-studio audience, the program aims to tap into Winkleman’s naturally witty and unfiltered charm.
“I can’t quite believe it and I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity,” Winkleman said in a statement, adding with typical self-deprecation, “I’m obviously going to be awful… but I’m over the moon they’re letting me try.”
Big Production Partners Behind the Scenes
The show comes from So Television — producers of “The Graham Norton Show” — along with Little Owl. With such a powerhouse team involved, the format is positioned to become one of the BBC’s major entertainment offerings of 2026.
“Claudia is a true national treasure – warm, witty and endlessly entertaining,” said Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC’s entertainment commissioning editor. “She has an extraordinary ability to put people at ease and bring out the very best in them.”
So Television managing director Graham Stuart added that following Norton’s iconic talk show run required someone equally magnetic: “How can you possibly follow that? By booking a host equally as brilliant.”
Global Distribution Plans Already in Motion
The series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with ITV Studios handling worldwide sales, ensuring Winkleman’s international fanbase will also get access to the show.
Executive producers include Graham Stuart and Ruth Phillips, with Neil McCallum serving as the BBC’s commissioning editor. The announcement was first reported by Deadline before being confirmed by the BBC.
As Winkleman prepares to launch her next major chapter, audiences can expect a fresh, energetic talk show driven by the personality that made her a household name. For more entertainment updates, TV announcements, and streaming news, continue reading the latest at InvestRecords.com.
