It was the big money project that was supposed to boost the career of British television’s most sought-after female host into the stratosphere.
But sources say a crisis is emerging behind the scenes of The Show, just three episodes into its highly anticipated run.
For despite Claudia’s undoubted talent and huge success as the host of , the new chat show failed to rank among the ’s most-watched programmes on Friday night.
And, more worryingly for the star and her team, it has prompted little reaction on social media.
Now Claudia, 54, who openly admitted she has ‘imposter syndrome’, is said to be struggling with the idea that her new project may not be a success.
A BBC source told the Mail: ‘Everyone, particularly the BBC, was so excited about Claudia getting her very own chat show. She couldn’t wait to get started but it’s not what she thought it would be.
‘Everything she touches turns to gold, usually, but it simply isn’t the case here. Claudia is the most successful female television presenter in Britain at the moment so it was expected to go better than this, she isn’t used to the criticism from the viewers.
‘You’d think it would be guaranteed for a second series at the end of this run. It probably will get one, but the chatter is that it may not be such a certain prospect.’
Claudia Winkleman's new chat show has yet to reach the dizzying heights of success that The Traitors enjoyed
On Friday night, former Friends star Lisa Kudrow was the highlight of the sofa, joined by Jamie Dornan, Bafta-nominee Chase Infiniti and Jimmy Carr
While Claudia's line-ups have included some big names such as former One Direction singer Niall Horan and actress Rachel Zegler, other lesser-known guests have included comedians Guz Khan and Joanne McNally
Perhaps Ms Winkleman is hedging her bets, for if her 1.3 million Instagram followers were to look at her account profile, they will see there is no mention of her self-named show in her bio. Instead she lists Strictly, Traitors and her Channel 4 programme, The Piano.
‘If you look at Traitors, she makes that show, she is brilliant, and she was the star of Strictly – but this is all new territory for her and it’s difficult,’ my source says.
Claudia’s new programme is in the middle of its initial six-week run, which has taken over the late-night spot previously occupied by Graham Norton’s show.
But critics say the series, made by Norton’s production company SO Television, has failed to attract the same high-calibre guests – such as Ryan Gosling and Taylor Swift – that his sofa is known for.
Ms Winkleman’s line-ups have been ‘generally mediocre’ in comparison. While they have included some big names such as former One Direction singer Niall Horan and actress Rachel Zegler, other guests have been comic Guz Khan, actor and musician Jeff Goldblum and singer Vanessa Williams.
