Winfrey: 'Signing autographs is a mistake'

Oprah Winfrey has insisted that she prefers to converse with a fan rather than simply sign an autograph.

Speaking to TV Guide, the talkshow host explained that she tries to make time after taping every episode of her series to greet her studio audience.

"Every day, after the show, I spend time with every audience member," she said.

Winfrey further remarked that simply signing an autograph does not give her the chance to personally connect with an admirer.

She noted: "I've learned from the mistake of trying to sign autographs for all those people... And I realised I don't really want to sign autographs.

"I want to talk to people about who they are, why they watch the show and where they come from, so I do my own focus group every single day."

The star launched her Oprah Winfrey Network earlier this month and plans to leave her long-running talkshow at the end of its current season.