Graham Norton jumps to Claudia Winkleman's defence with firm statement after BBC talk show debut sparks complaints

Graham Norton has jumped to fellow presenter Claudia Winkleman's defence after her new chat show received mixed feedback from critics.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star debuted her new programme on Friday evening with the BBC's The Claudia Winkleman Show, which follows a similar format to Mr Norton's long-running after-hours chat show.

More than 1.4million tuned into the first episode, but some had negative responses, with the show branded "a bore" and "chaotic" by critics.

Mr Norton has leapt to her defence, though, insisting Ms Winkleman "nailed" her opening show.

Speaking to the Mail, he gushed: "What Claudia did was The Claudia Winkleman Show, and that's what she's supposed to be doing."

He continued: "She shouldn't be trying to be me. She should be trying to be Claudia, and she nailed that."

The Traitors presenter Ms Winkleman received divided responses, with some viewers taking to X to express their disappointment.

One penned: "Claudia's energy and wit are better suited to live TV. The scripted elements of this show felt forced. It reminded me a lot of the chat show Davina McCall did back in the noughties which was swiftly cancelled."

A second agreed: "Had to turn it off. And I love Claude."

"Too much interaction with members of the audience broke up the flow of conversation," another social media user wrote.

Someone else shared: "Entertaining but staged given the links to the audience on their 'spontaneous' chat. Not sure Claudia (as much as I like her) is right for a chat show or will be around chatting in 30 weeks, let alone 30 years as joked about on the show."

However, The Independent applauded the show as a "classy, witty affair that has brilliant potential."

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The Telegraph branded the show "quite random, reassuringly nice," adding it was "a lovely way to end the week, but not yet appointment-to-view TV."

One viewer even described the show as: "Absolutely brilliant. A lot better than graham Norton, a friendly chat rather than a q&a, but I do love Claude." (sic)

Another posted: "Loved it. Maybe not bring all the guests on at once, but otherwise great. Fabulous guests."

Since news of Ms Winkleman's Strictly exit, it seems the popular presenter is trying her hand at a few new projects as she continues her acclaimed role on The Traitors.

As well as landing her new show, the presenter recently fronted the world-famous Channel 4 dog show, Crufts.

Ms Winkleman, who owns a Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Skip, expressed her delight at the appointment.

Ahead of the show, she beamed: "I absolutely love dogs and there is literally nowhere else on earth I'd rather be.

"I can't wait to join this incredible team and I'm so grateful to Channel 4 for allowing me to be part of it. I have a pocket rammed with treats."

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