Claudia Winkleman returns to UK TV screens for a true first in her career. The Claudia Winkleman Show gives one of the most revolutionary presenters in British history a chance to host her own series for the first time, and to say that the hype is through the roof would be an understatement.
Winkleman has been a fixture of the BBC for decades, co-hosting Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly since 2010 (after hosting spinoff series It Takes Two from 2004), but her star power has multiplied immensely within the past five years. Her work on The Traitors, which she co-hosted alongside Strictly until she left the latter last year, has made her a global superstar. And now the beloved host finally takes the spotlight in her own talk-show. Here's what you need to know.
The Claudia Winkleman Show start time (and how long the episode is)
The Claudia Winkleman Show airs on BBC One tonight, Friday March 13, at 10:40 p.m. GMT. It will also be available to stream simultaneously on BBC iPlayer, meaning that you can watch it on your laptop, smart devices, or mobile phone if you can't make it to the TV for the linear broadcast.
Airing in the same timeslot as The Graham Norton Show, it will air directly after the BBC Newsline local news and finish around 11:25 p.m. GMT, just in time for Would I Lie To You to begin. As it was pre-recorded over a week ago, it has already been edited for broadcast so there is no danger of it running over time. So sit back, relax, and watch Claudia do her thing - as only she can!
But who will be appearing on the show for her very special premiere episode? Well, talk about star-studded!
Jeff Goldblum and Jennifer Saunders lead the guests
With a personality as larger-than-life as Claudia Winkleman's, her talk show needs to debut with its own larger-than-life line-up of guests. Thankfully, that's exactly what we're going to get as series 1, episode 1 will feature Hollywood legend Jeff Goldblum, Absolutely Fabulous icon Jennifer Saunders, The Devil Wears Prada musical star Vanessa Williams, and comedian Tom Allen.
Check out a fresh sneak peek of the series premiere below as Jeff Goldblum talks pencils:
Goldblum, best known for films like Jurassic Park (and its sequels), Independence Day, Wicked, and more, will be opening up to Claudia about his band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Saunders, a British legend and comedy genius, will be talking about her new movie The Magic Faraway Tree. Williams, a Hollywood legend and musician best known for her legendary 1991 hit single "Save the Best for Last" will be telling all about bringing Miranda Priestly to the stage in The Devil Wears Prada on the West End. And Allen, a well-known comedian with countless appearances on classic British entertainment programs, will be chatting about his new book, Common Decency.
As for what else you can expect? The answer is good old-fashioned entertainment! Claudia is one of the most beloved presenters in British history and it's about time that she gets the spotlight in her own talk-show. With her wit, charm, and absolutely chaotic approach to everything, she's going to ensure we are as entertained as the guests that she's interviewing.
The fact that her series is produced by the same team that brings us The Graham Norton Show is just the icing on the cake. We're in for a good one!
The Claudia Winkleman Show will air on Fridays on BBC One and iPlayer for the next six weeks.