For the first time in its long-running history, The Graham Norton Show will see a temporary host step into the iconic red chair, sparking calls from fans for a rebrand. 

With Graham Norton absent from this week’s episode, Claudia Winkleman will take the reins, 

and viewers have humorously suggested a name change in honor of her guest appearance.

Claudia Winkleman Steps in for Graham Norton

The penultimate episode of the current series, airing on Friday, February 28, will see The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman, 53, filling in for Graham Norton, 61. 

This marks the first time she has ever hosted the popular BBC talk show.

Winkleman will welcome an exciting lineup of celebrity guests, including Hollywood actor Chris Pratt, who will discuss his upcoming sci-fi comedy-drama The Electric State. Also appearing is Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who features in the BBC’s latest drama This City is Ours. Comedian Rob Beckett will join the couch to promote the return of his panel show, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV.

British actor Toby Jones, best known for his role in Mr Bates vs The Post Office, will also make an appearance to discuss his latest project Mr Burton, where he portrays Richard Burton’s inspirational teacher. Musician Rachel Chinouriri is set to deliver a live performance of her hit single All I Ever Asked.

Fans Suggest Temporary Name Change

With Winkleman stepping in as host, devoted fans of The Graham Norton Show have taken to social media, suggesting the program should be renamed for the night. Among the suggestions are The Claudia Winkleman Show and even the more playful The Queen, a nod to her increasing popularity thanks to her role on The Traitors.

Viewers seem thrilled by the switch-up, with many expressing excitement to see how Claudia handles the hosting duties. One fan posted online, “Claudia Winkleman hosting? Rename it The Claudia Norton Show for the night!”

Another joked, “If Claudia is in the red chair, it’s only right that we get a Strictly crossover and rename it The Cha Cha Cha Winkleman Show.”

Graham Norton’s Australian Tour

The reason for Graham’s absence is his upcoming Australian tour. The Irish presenter announced during his January 10 show that he would be traveling in February and, therefore, unable to close out the series himself.

Norton is set to take his live show, An Evening with Graham Norton, to audiences in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and Melbourne throughout March. The show will feature amusing anecdotes from his career, followed by a Q&A session, allowing fans to interact with the beloved presenter.

During the announcement, Claudia, who was on the show as a guest at the time, jokingly responded to Graham’s gratitude for her stepping in by saying, “I apologise in advance.”

She had been appearing alongside stars such as Myles Smith, Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, and Billy Porter to discuss the third series of The Traitors UK.

Final Episode to Feature Highlights from the Series

Following Winkleman’s guest hosting stint, The Graham Norton Show will conclude its series on Friday, March 7, with a special episode featuring highlights from recent weeks. This final installment will include memorable moments with A-list stars such as Demi Moore, Timothée Chalamet, Cher, Denzel Washington, Nicole Kidman, Dwayne Johnson, Zoë Saldaña, and Hugh Grant.

The compilation episode will celebrate the most entertaining and viral moments from the season, bringing fans some of the best interactions, interviews, and comedic exchanges from the show.

A Fresh Twist for the BBC Talk Show

While Graham Norton’s absence is only temporary, Claudia Winkleman’s guest-hosting gig has already generated a buzz. Viewers are eager to see how she takes on the role, and many believe her distinctive humor and charm will bring a refreshing twist to the well-loved format.

With calls for a one-night rebrand and fans eagerly awaiting her take on the red chair, Claudia’s turn as host may go down as a memorable moment in the history of The Graham Norton Show.

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