Claudia Winkleman beat Graham Norton to win the battle of the chat shows by pulling in 200,000 more viewers than him for her debut Friday-night programme.

More than 1.4million tuned in to see the popular host anchor her much-anticipated new series, compared with Norton's 1.2million audience in the same slot for the past two weeks.

But there was bad news for Ms Winkleman, presenter of BBC1's The Traitors, as viewers panned her efforts, with some complaining that the set was dark, and that it was 'dull' and 'fake'.

Thousands took to social media platform X to share their disappointment about the show, the first of a six-episode run shown at 10.40pm on Fridays.

One user wrote: 'It was not good. The audience participation was cringeworthy and it felt like Claudia was just hanging out rather than at the helm.'

Another said: 'This is just not working – The Claudia Winkleman Show is dull as the dark teal sofa.'

One viewer wrote: 'The Claudia Winkleman chat show feels fake and aimless. Set is giving me Mrs Merton vibes. Except nowhere near as fun or entertaining.'

Another one compared Ms Winkleman's efforts to Davina McCall's disastrous chat show back in 2006, writing: 'It was pretty dreadful, reminded me of the Davina attempt which lasted six weeks.'

Others took aim at the guest list, described as 'lacklustre' even by those connected to the show.

While Graham Norton can land the likes of Taylor Swift, Ryan Gosling and Will Smith, Ms Winkleman, 54, interviewed Jurassic Park actor Jeff Goldblum, comedian Jennifer Saunders, actress Vanessa Williams, currently starring in the West End adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, and comic Tom Allen.

The programme, like The Graham Norton Show, is made by SO Television – Norton's own production company. 

It will host former One Direction star Niall Horan and comics Joanne McNally and Guz Khan next week.

Both of the shows share the same talent booker. One critic wrote on social media: 'See Claudia Winkleman didn't bother trying to compete for guests with Graham Norton.'

Viewers did, though, fall in love with the cockapoo named Percy that appeared on the sofa.

Despite beating Norton with her ratings, Ms Winkleman didn't make it into the top ten most watched shows on BBC1 on Friday, and was behind The One Show and Would I Lie To You?

But BBC bosses were thrilled with her first episode. One insider said: 'Claudia is a superstar and this is the first time she has done a show like this. It rated really well.

'There is no question that she will get better and better – this is her dream and she will stop at nothing to make sure it works.

'Her ratings are better than Graham's, which was perhaps to be expected because it's her first show, but the dream would be that they are both on a level.'

Ms Winkleman left her role of hosting Strictly Come Dancing after 11 years to launch her chat show.

She will continue to host the BBC's The Traitors as well as The Piano on Channel 4.