After revealing that she’s stepping down from Strictly Come Dancing, presenter Claudia Winkleman is reportedly in advanced discussions about fronting her own chat show.
Known for her signature glossy black fringe, dramatic eyeliner, and bronzed complexion, Winkleman has one of the most instantly recognisable looks on British television. Combined with her sharp instincts and flair for bold career decisions, it’s little wonder she’s eyeing the next glittering chapter in her broadcasting journey.
Following the surprise announcement this week that Winkleman, 53, and her co-host Tess Daly, 56, will leave Strictly at the end of the current season, reports suggest she may soon be helming a high-profile talk show.
According to Deadline, the series would be produced by So Television, the team behind The Graham Norton Show. While the deal isn’t yet finalised, discussions are said to be at an advanced stage, with plans for the show to air during periods when Norton’s programme is off-screen.
Sources quoted by the Daily Mail say the BBC views a primetime chat show as one of its key priorities a glamorous, big-budget production reminiscent of Jonathan Ross’s format but with a more refined edge. One insider described it as the “perfect role for Claudia,” predicting it could elevate her career to new heights.
Claudia Winkleman, daughter of former newspaper editor Eve Pollard and her first husband Barry Winkleman, began her career as a travel writer after earning a history of art degree from the University of Cambridge, before transitioning into broadcasting.
She built her career through a long television apprenticeship, eventually becoming one of the BBC’s standout primetime presenters. Her early work included appearances on the regional programme Central Weekend, the BBC travel series Holiday, stints on ITV’s This Morning, the cable channel Live TV, and the BBC Three entertainment news show Liquid News.
Broadcaster and Guardian writer Mark Lawson described Winkleman as “great” but suggested she might face challenges in certain formats, such as a chatshow. “The crucial thing in broadcasting is that no presenter is better than the format they’re in. That’s an unbreakable rule,” he said. “With Strictly Come Dancing, The Traitors, and The Piano, she’s had three of the most successful formats of the past 20 years. People choose her because she’s unusually unobtrusive she lets the format shine.”
On the idea of Winkleman fronting a chatshow, Lawson cautioned: “That has to be about you. You have to drive it and control it, and she possibly doesn’t have enough of an ego for that.”
PR expert Mark Borkowski recalled Winkleman’s early BBC Three days, saying, “I remember Liquid News. It was aimed at a smart, younger audience, and she was so quick, so on it. That’s part of her appeal now.” He added that few presenters can handle live TV with ease, but Winkleman does “whip-smart, without any of the cynicism you often see on social media.”
Known for her self-deprecating humor she has described herself as “a tiny orange lady with a fringe that’s too long” Winkleman has presented dating shows, film programmes, Fame Academy, Eurovision selections, and The Great British Sewing Bee. She joined Strictly in 2005 to host the companion show Strictly: It Takes Two, later moving to the main show in 2014 to replace Bruce Forsyth.
She is married to film producer Kris Thykier and has three children aged 12 to 21. Winkleman has balanced Strictly alongside major projects like The Traitors, Channel 4’s The Piano, and until last year, a weekend show on BBC Radio 2.
Celebrity Traitors, currently the BBC’s most-watched reality show, is attracting around 11 million viewers, much to the delight of the network’s executives.
PR expert Mark Borkowski praised Winkleman’s skill on the show: “She’s fantastic at balancing tension and silliness with surgical precision. She brings the calm needed in the storm of reality TV. She’s unflappable, witty, super smart, and never overexposed.”
In an era flooded with reality TV contestants and social media influencers, Borkowski said Winkleman stands out amid a general mediocrity. “In the unscripted space, she’s an absolute star,” he added, noting her cross-generational appeal, especially with women.
He also highlighted her distinctive style: “She has an incredible stylist. In today’s world of Instagram and visual branding, she nails it glossy black hair, everything about her look is perfectly on-brand and idiosyncratic. She doesn’t imitate anyone; she’s entirely her own, which is rare.”
Borkowski suggested Winkleman could even make the transatlantic leap, following in the footsteps of James Corden and others who have found success in the U.S.
Although no final deal has been confirmed for her rumored chatshow, the BBC reportedly hopes it will keep her from moving to ITV. She has previously filled in for Norton on his programme.
Regarding her next career move, Borkowski said it will be pivotal. “Having had two major hits Strictly and Traitors the next format matters more than ever. Success feeds on itself, so the next step is critical. She’s in the right position with the right people, and ultimately, it’s her choice.”