Claudia Winkleman Steps into Graham Norton’s Shoes with New BBC Chat Show

Claudia Winkleman is set to launch her own chat show on BBC One and iPlayer in spring 2026, taking over the Friday night slot previously held by Graham Norton. This marks a significant moment for British television, as Winkleman becomes the only woman currently hosting a late-night talk show on British TV .

A New Era for BBC Chat Shows

The new show, officially titled The Claudia Winkleman Show, will be produced by So Television, the same company behind Graham Norton’s successful program . Winkleman expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging it as both a “total privilege and also completely nerve-racking” .

The program will follow a similar format to its predecessors, featuring celebrity guests and a live studio audience. Winkleman playfully warned viewers that the show might be “excruciating” in a preview trailer . The set will feature a green color scheme, differing from Graham Norton’s red sofa and Jonathan Ross’s purple set.

First Guests Announced

The debut episode, airing on Friday, March 13th, 2026, will feature an impressive lineup of guests including Hollywood actor Jeff Goldblum, actors Vanessa Williams and Jennifer Saunders, and comedian Tom Allen .

A Historic Shift in Late-Night Television

Winkleman’s show represents a significant shift in the landscape of British late-night television. Prior to this, the genre has been largely dominated by male hosts, with The Graham Norton Show, The Jonathan Ross Show, and The Last Leg all led by men . The last British late-night chat show presented by a woman was The Mrs Merton Show, hosted by Caroline Aherne from 1993 to 1998. Davina McCall also hosted a BBC One chat show in 2006, but it was cancelled after eight episodes due to low ratings .

Winkleman’s transition to hosting her own chat show follows her departure from Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly after more than a decade . She was recently made an MBE by King Charles III .