Claudia Winkleman to host new Channel 4 comedy series
Channel 4's Head of Entertainment, Justin Gorman, confirmed today that Claudia Winkleman's 'King Of...' has been given a six-part series.
'King Of...' is described as a "fresh and feisty" new comedy format, in which Claudia Winkleman, celebrity guests and a studio audience "deliberate and debate to find the definitive, the top, the crème de la crème - in short, the king of just about everything."
The channel says: "From musicals to newsreaders, from supermodels to household pets, from artists to takeaways, King Of... will take a witty, informative and passionate look at our favourite things, and Claudia will be shining a unique light on the passions and peculiarities of her celebrity guests."
Claudia Winkleman, now the host of the BBC's film programme, will be familiar to comedy fans as she appears regularly on panel shows such as Would I Lie To You? and 8 Out Of 10 Cats. She has also fronted three series of Radio 2's celebrity news-based panel show Hot Gossip.
The host says: "I have been playing King Of with friends and family forever. I am completely over the moon I'm now being allowed to do it on the telly. What's the king of condiments? No. It's not ketchup"
Channel 4's Commissioning Editor for Entertainment, Darren Smith adds: "Seeing Claudia in a comedy entertainment context is a real treat. Everyone knows how charming and brainy she is, and now you can see how incredibly funny she can be. We're hugely excited."
The format for 'King Of...' was trialled via a non-broadcast pilot in February. The new six-part series, which is due to be filmed shortly, will be shown on Channel 4 this summer.