The BBC has dropped a first look at The Claudia Winkleman Show’s first line-up – featuring a Hollywood superstar and a British comedy legend.
Last month, it was revealed that Claudia, 54, would soon return to screens alongside ‘the biggest names from the worlds of film, television, music and beyond’ and a live audience.
Now, it’s been confirmed her first guests will be actor Jeff Goldblum, Absolutely Fabulous legend Jennifer Saunders, comedian Tom Allen and The Devil Wears Prada’s Vanessa Williams.
Smiling alongside her panellists in a series of snaps, a sneak peek clip saw Claudia in the studio, joking it was ‘an error’ the BBC had given her a self-titled show.
She told fans: ‘Hello, they’ve given me a talkshow – agreed, an error. Here’s some information, there is an audience, they’re lovely, and brilliant guests. It might be excruciating.’
The first-look confirmed that the debut show will hit screens on BBC One next Friday, 13 March, at 10:40pm.
The BBC has dropped a first look at The Claudia Winkleman Show’s first line-up – featuring a Hollywood superstar and a British comedy legend
Now, it’s been confirmed her first guests will be actor Jeff Goldblum, Absolutely Fabulous legend Jennifer Saunders , comedian Tom Allen and Devil Wears Prada’s Vanessa Williams
A show synopsis reads: ‘A brand-new series packed with celebrity guests, hilarious stories and Claudia’s trademark warmth and wit – all in front of a live studio audience.’
It comes after Claudia mocked her own use of fake tan as she advertised the series with a teaser clip, slapping orange paint on her face and joking, ‘I’m ready!’.
In a trailer for the series, the former Strictly Come Dancing host could be seen placing small oranges inside a bucket of gloop as she joked the colour ‘isn’t orange enough’ for her liking.
‘Yes, just still not orange enough…’ as she checked the colour of the paint, before continuing: ‘Hi, it’s Claud here. I have a new show, I am really getting prepared.
‘They want me to tell you it starts on Friday the 13th, well, I’ve had a good run.’
Putting the paint of her face and pouting towards the camera, Claudia concluded before walking off screen: ‘Yep, I’m ready.’
Speaking about her new gig, Claudia said previously: ‘I can’t quite believe it and I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity.
‘I’m obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I’m over the moon they’re letting me try.’
Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, Kalpna Patel-Knight, said: ‘Claudia is a true national treasure – warm, witty and endlessly entertaining.
A first look at Claudia Winkleman’s new BBC chat show sees the host mock her own love of fake tan – by slapping orange paint on her face and joking, ‘I’m ready!’
‘She has an extraordinary ability to put people at ease and bring out the very best in them, whether they’re global superstars or members of the audience.
‘It’s very exciting that she will be fronting her very own show on the BBC, and we can’t wait for viewers to join Claudia and her sofa full of stars.’
Elsewhere, Claudia was left raving that hosting Crufts had ‘been the best day of her life’ and even better than her WEDDING as she joined Clare Balding on Channel 4.
The Traitors host, who worked alongside Crufts host Clare, 55, during her stint in the Celebrity Traitors castle, was seen co-hosting live from around the arena.
Claudia, 54, had been tasked with interviewing both guests and show dog owners alike as she explored the event, hosted at Birmingham’s NEC, for the first time.
Crufts, which sees dogs brought to Birmingham from all over the world to compete against each other, takes place over four days with more than 150,000 visitors.
Hosted at the NEC, aside from arena-worthy events like Best In Show, Fly Ball and Agility, the annual show also features rooms packed with stands where dog lovers can shop for their canine friends, or even meet some new ones.
After cameras followed Claudia exploring the shopping opportunities, and walking around the event’s first-ever grooming competition, the Piano host was then given a chance to get stuck in with a performance.
Claudia met with the Southern Golden Retriever Society’s Display Team, a group of 22 dogs and handlers who perform complex walking routines in front of audiences.
The TV host was given an opportunity to try her hand at being a handler for one of the dogs taking part, named Honey, after being given a few minutes of training.
She told Clare back in the studio: ‘I’m lucky enough to be with the Southern Golden Retriever display team, and they’re going to let me walk with them as they do their routine.
‘They have been here for 25 years and will be performing on Saturday and Sunday.’
Pointing down towards the floor and showcasing her four-legged partner Honey, Claudia said: ‘Clare, I’m going to be honest with you, I’ve had the best day of my life.’
Clare was then seen questioning Claudia on working with the golden-haired dogs, but Claudia was soon distracted as Honey began wondering off.
‘Not now, Honey, we’ve had this conversation,’ Claudia could be heard telling the pooch, adding: ‘Honey, remember, we do twirling, sit, good girl!’
As Honey continued to walk away from Claudia, the Traitors host continued: ‘Clare, are you ready to be both appalled and alarmed?’
‘I’m ready to be impressed,’ Clare responded, as Claudia explained: ‘Everybody else is amazing, this is David and he’s helped me, but Clare, thanks so much for letting me come, that’s all I want to say.’
As Claudia got stuck in with the routine, she was soon paces behind the rest of the display team and struggling to keep up – before Honey started jumping up, and refused to sit on cue.
‘No, no, I love you, please,’ Claudia could be seen telling Honey, with Clare heard giggling back in the studio as Honey continued to follow Claudia despite her instructions to stay put.
‘Remember the deal!’ she added towards the confused pooch, before telling Clare: ‘It’s really going to be fine,’ and removing herself from the routine.
She heaped praise on the group for their ‘majestic’ routine as they continued to perform her, adding: ‘David is now doing this with both Poppy and Honey because I wasn’t very good.
‘But there it is, best day of my life. I quite liked my wedding, this is better.’
The Claudia Winkleman Show kicks off March 13 at 10:40pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
