The Claudia Winkleman Show review: Was there any doubt we’d be in good hands?

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Claudia Winkleman was recently on TV for Crufts, but tonight felt like the first time we really saw her shine.

Following the success of The Celebrity Traitors, the BBC revealed that Claudia Winkleman will host a new chat show. The show will be produced by the same company that makes The Graham Norton Show.

It’s best not to compare the two shows, as Claudia Winkleman brings her own unique and popular style to the program, even though it also airs on Friday nights.

The studio is striking and clearly inspired by the look of the show The Traitors, particularly due to the dark teal sofas – a detail Jennifer Saunders correctly identified. However, Claudia Winkleman proves she’s a fantastic chat show host in her own right, and isn’t simply known because she also hosts The Traitors.

Throughout her career, Winkleman has consistently charmed audiences with her professional attitude, confident style, and ability to laugh at herself – qualities that were especially appreciated by those watching the recording.

Right from the start, her connection with the audience hinted at the show’s style, and she continued to include them throughout the episode, blending their participation with stories about the celebrities.

Does the show depend too much on getting the audience involved? Although the celebrities prepare their stories beforehand, having numerous audience members who coincidentally have related experiences each episode can make things feel a bit artificial.

Winkleman is at her best when things aren’t planned (like when Celia Imrie unexpectedly talked about flatulence), so it would be great to see more spontaneous and natural interactions between her and the celebrities.

The show featured a fantastic group of guests tonight – Jeff Goldblum, Jennifer Saunders, Vanessa Williams, and Tom Allen – each with engaging stories and a lot of personality. While they all shone, Claudia Winkleman skillfully guided the conversation, making sure everyone had enough time to talk about what they’ve been working on.

Tom Allen was a highlight, sharing a funny story about buying furniture. He mentioned being asked if he needed a nightstand, which confused Jeff Goldblum, who didn’t know what it was.

Upcoming guests include Joanne McNally, Guz Khan, and Niall Horan, with Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy Carr, and Chase Infiniti appearing in the third episode.

The first episode showed that Claudia Winkleman has a talent for making celebrities feel comfortable and happy, which is something she’s known for.

Whether she’s chatting with stars and dancers after a show in the Clauditorium, or offering comfort to contestants in the Traitors’ turret when emotions run high, Claudia Winkleman has a knack for drawing out the best in people – something viewers have enjoyed watching for years.

Even though it’s a new experience for her, away from shows like Strictly Come Dancing or The Traitors, Claudia Winkleman shines in her debut chat show. Honestly, could anyone doubt she’d be a natural?

The Claudia Winkleman Show continues on Friday 20 March at 10:40pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-03-14 03:04