Claudia Winkleman for The Claudia Winkleman Show / BBC
Claudia Winkleman has announced that she has decided not to return for a second series of her self-titled chat show.
The programme – made by the same company that produces The Graham Norton Show – aired in the Irish comedian’s Friday night slot for seven weeks in March and April.
While ratings were respectable, the show drew a mixed reaction from critics and fans, many of whom felt that Winkleman did not suit the chat format.
In a statement, 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.”
Ed Havard, director of entertainment at the BBC, added: “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.”
Norton’s show, meanwhile, is due to return to BBC One in September.
