Claudia Winkleman ‘will be hosting a new BBC chat show by early next year’
After announcing she is leaving her hosting job on Strictly Come Dancing, TV insiders say Claudia Winkleman will be fronting a new BBC chat show by early next year.
Claudia Winkleman will reportedly be hosting a new BBC chat show by early next year.
Insiders say there are plans to fast-track production so the series launches soon after her final appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, which she recently announced she was leaving, and the next series of The Traitors.
The 53-year-old presenter, who has enjoyed huge ratings success with The Celebrity Traitors, has cleared her schedule to take on the new project and will not return to front Channel 4’s quiz show One Question.
According to The Sun, BBC bosses are hoping to air Claudia’s as-yet-untitled series on Friday nights, with an expected start date in March and a run continuing until May.
A TV insider told the newspaper: “If ever proof were needed Claudia is now very much the BBC’s golden girl after the huge success of The Celebrity Traitors, this is it.
“Given that Strictly started in September, it means that by the time her new chat show concludes she will have been on our screens almost constantly for eight months.”
The source added: “And they're some of the biggest TV successes the BBC has ever seen – with the chat show expected to enjoy equally huge ratings when it debuts.
“Work is hugely picking up pace, although the Beeb have yet to fully form the plan and announce it, though they're expected to reveal more details next month.”
Claudia is currently filming the latest Strictly Come Dancing series with co-host Tess Daly, before heading straight into production for the third series of The Traitors, due to air in January.
Although stepping away from One Question, Claudia is expected to return to host a fourth season of The Piano for Channel 4.
Industry sources have said filming for the fifth series of The Traitors is anticipated to begin at Ardross Castle around May, giving her little downtime between projects.
Discussions about the BBC chat show reportedly began when Claudia and Tess decided to leave Strictly.
The pair confirmed earlier this year that they would step down from the long-running dance competition after the current season to explore new opportunities.
Another insider said: “When word of her chat show first came out, most people thought it would be months, perhaps a year at least, before it got off the ground.
“Nobody expected it to be on our screens in a time frame measured in weeks. But execs want to ride the wave of her popularity and secure the next chapter of her career on the BBC.”
