A first look at Claudia Winkleman's new BBC chat show sees the host mock her own love of fake tan - by slapping orange paint on her face and joking, 'I'm ready!'. 

Earlier this week, the BBC revealed that the new format will launch on screens from Friday, March 13 at 10.40pm - and now, Claudia, 54, has confirmed the date. 

In a teaser trailer for the series, the former Strictly Come Dancing host can be seen placing small oranges inside a bucket of gloop as she jokes the colour 'isn't orange enough' for her liking. 

'Yes, just still not orange enough...' as she checked the colour of the paint, before continuing: 'Hi, it's Claud here. I have a new show, I am really getting prepared.

'They want me to tell you it starts on Friday the 13th, well, I've had a good run.'

Putting the paint of her face and pouting towards the camera, Claudia concludes before walking off screen: 'Yep, I'm ready.'

Set to air on BBC One on Friday nights, The Claudia Winkleman Show will launch in Spring 2026 and will see The Traitors legend interview some of 'the biggest names from the worlds of film, television, music and beyond' with a live audience.

Her first guests include Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum, Absolutely Fabulous legend Jennifer Saunders, comedian Tom Allen and Devil Wears Prada's Vanessa Williams.

The set for the show will reportedly be modelled on the aesthetic of The Traitors castle in a bid to recreate a look which 'is now synonymous with Claudia'.

Speaking about her new gig, Claudia said previously: 'I can't quite believe it and I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity.

'I'm obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I'm over the moon they’re letting me try.'

Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, Kalpna Patel-Knight, said: 'Claudia is a true national treasure - warm, witty and endlessly entertaining.

'She has an extraordinary ability to put people at ease and bring out the very best in them, whether they’re global superstars or members of the audience.

'It's very exciting that she will be fronting her very own show on the BBC, and we can't wait for viewers to join Claudia and her sofa full of stars.'

Claudia is no stranger to a fake tan, and previously revealed that she swapped her favourite tanner for GRAVY granules when she couldn't get hold of it.

Speaking on BBC1's Would I Lie to You? she recalled: 'I didn't have my normal fake tan there because I was in the castle, so what I thought was, 'Let's just use something!'.

'I don't think I'm allowed to say a brand, but it was gravy granules.

'I'd had a spray tan, but it was episode five - round table, you're wearing tweed, but what else do you need? Gravy granules.

'They came from a shop - there are shops there - and it's really good. It really works.'

Claudia has previously admitted to using Bisto and tea bags as a tanning alternative when she was a student 30 years ago

The TV presenter went on to joke that her fake tan is just one of two skills she has for TV, she added: 'All I do is paint myself orange and read from an autocue.' 

It comes as Claudia rearranged filming of the new chat show while juggling another presenting job.

Between The Traitors, The Piano and formerly Strictly, she is a very familiar presence on our screens.

She has added to this by signing up for this year's presenting team for Crufts with Channel 4.

A TV insider said: 'There’s huge anticipation for The Claudia Winkleman Show, though the BBC are keeping all the details under wraps until the last moment.

'They’ve pulled out all the stops, including ensuring Claudia was able to juggle two huge roles in the same month.'

They added to The Sun: 'Then, when she wraps on Crufts and her show, The Traitors team move to Scotland at the end of April to start preparations for the new series.'

Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for comment.

Meanwhile, Crufts will see Claudia work alongside Clare Balding, Paralympic champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds and TV presenter Radzi Chinyanganya.

She previously said: '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.'

Clare - who has led Channel 4's coverage of Crufts since 2010 - took part in the first series of the BBC's The Celebrity Traitors in 2025.

She said he cannot wait to be reunited with the star-studded game show's host, Claudia, from Thursday, March 5.

Clare, 55, said: 'I'm really looking forward to working with Claudia, who is a fantastic addition to the team.

'She really loves dogs and will bring an additional element of fun, as well as an intelligent curiosity and, of course, style.'

Channel 4 is delighted that Claudia has signed up to join the Crufts presenting team.

Pete Andrews, Head of Sport at the broadcaster, said: 'Crufts holds a special place in the hearts of Channel 4 viewers.

'There is no other event like it, and it is such a thrill to be welcoming Claudia to our brilliant gang of presenters and adding to our celebration of all things dog.'

The Claudia Winkleman Show airs from March 13 at 10:40pm