Claudia Winkleman quits talk show as was 'too nervous' to enjoy it

By Laura Harding, Press Association Entertainment Editor

Claudia Winkleman has said she was “too nervous to enjoy” her eponymous talk show and will not bring it back for another series.

The Claudia Winkleman Show – which launched earlier this year – saw her interview celebrity guests in front of a studio audience.

She said: “I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for giving me the opportunity, to the guests who agreed to come and chat to me, and the production team who were simply excellent.

“Sometimes you have to try something to see how it fits, and I realised I was just too nervous to enjoy it.

“Maybe one day I will give it another try, but for now I already have the best jobs in the world and absolutely love the shows I’m doing.”

Winkleman, who stepped down from presenting Strictly Come Dancing after 15 years last December, presents The Traitors and spin-off The Celebrity Traitors.

Her chat show was produced by So Television, the company behind the award-winning The Graham Norton Show.

Winkleman’s show filled the same Friday nighttime slot on BBC One in the gap between series.

She interviewed guests including Jennifer Saunders, Dan Levy and Jeff Goldblum.

Ed Havard, director of entertainment at the BBC, said: “Claudia’s warmth and quick wit made The Claudia Winkleman Show an absolute joy.

“Whilst we loved the show, we fully respect her decision and would like to thank Claudia and the brilliant team at So Television for bringing the series to screen on the BBC.

“As the host of the country’s most-watched show, Claudia will be back on the BBC very soon when The Celebrity Traitors returns later this year, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for the new band of celebs.”