Future of Claudia Winkleman’s BBC chat show is ‘confirmed’ after mixed reviews from critics and viewers

Claudia Winkleman could renew her chat show for a second series after impressing BBC bosses with viewing figures.

Claudia Winkleman’s show began following her exit from Strictly Come Dancing earlier this month.

While the program was met with mixed reviews, the first episode was watched by 2.5 million people in the first seven days, beating rival Graham Norton’s first episode, which was watched by 2.3 million viewers.

Last week, 1.4 million people watched the night; The previous week, this number was 1.3 million.

Three episodes have been released so far, with two more on the way. The BBC is said to be ‘thrilled’ that the show’s nightly viewing numbers increased by almost 50 per cent when it was released on iPlayer.

A source told Sun: ‘This is a particular advantage for them because it shows that the younger, more online-friendly market is interested in the fair.

‘And it seems he brought them over from his time fronting The Traitors, which had a very wide market. This kind of change is really important for executives because this is where they see the future of lying on television.

‘So it sounds like Beeb chiefs are ready to greenlight another series if that’s what Claudia wants.’

The Daily Mail has contacted the BBC and Claudia’s representative for comment.

Claudia still needs to film Celebrity Traitors and its civilian version, so if a second series is to be commissioned it may have to take place in the autumn.

Critics had mixed feelings, although the show did not sit well with some viewers, who claimed Claudia could ‘never replace’ Graham Norton.

Nick Hilton Independent gave the series three stars for ‘a stylish, witty affair with great potential’ but added that it ‘could use a few tweaks’.

Making it clear that they ‘love Claudia’, Guard‘s critic said Graham would be very difficult to replace, before branding the chat show a ‘mess’.

While the program was met with mixed reviews, the first episode was watched by 2.5 million people in the first seven days, beating rival Graham Norton’s first episode which reached 2.3 million views.

Giving the show a poor two-star rating, Lucy Mangan wrote: ‘Claudia is quicker and wittier than at least three-fifths of her guests.’

for Carol Midgley Times she wrote: ‘Claudia isn’t a comedian, but she’s funny (she made a joke about breastfeeding her dog). He should relax more and have the confidence to be himself. And I have to say, be a little less polite.

‘This is a harder job than it seems. Despite her self-mockery and nerves, Claudia pulled off a respectable first shift.

Anita Singh Telegram he said the show was ‘quite random and reassuringly beautiful’. ‘It’s a nice way to end the week, but we don’t have a date to watch TV yet’.

Meanwhile, viewers claimed the chat show was “not as good as Graham Norton” and not even Claudia’s charisma could save it.