The fringe, the knitwear and the round table are back. Claudia Winkleman is currently hosting the second series of The Celebrity Traitors on BBC One, which began on 1 October 2026, her first autumn in years without Strictly Come Dancing after she and Tess Daly stepped down following the 2025 series.
Here is how she became one of Britain's best-loved presenters. Find our tribute designs in the TV personalities collection.
Claudia Winkleman Fact File
| Full name | Claudia Anne Irena Winkleman |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 January 1972 (age 54) |
| Place of birth | Westminster, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Television and radio presenter |
| Years active | 1991-present |
| Education | New Hall, Cambridge (art history) |
| Known for | The Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing |
| Honours | MBE (2025) |
Career History
| Years | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-2010 | Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two | Host |
| 2007-2008 | Eurovision Dance Contest | Co-host with Graham Norton |
| 2010-2016 | Film... | Co-presenter |
| 2010-2025 | Strictly Come Dancing | Results co-host, then main co-host from 2014 |
| 2022-present | The Traitors | Host |
| 2023-present | The Piano | Host |
| 2025-present | The Celebrity Traitors | Host |
Selected television roles; she also presented a Saturday show on BBC Radio 2 from 2021 to 2024.
From Cambridge to the Studio
Born in Westminster, Claudia studied art history at New Hall, Cambridge, and began working in broadcasting in the early 1990s. Her quick wit and warmth made her a natural fit for live TV, and she became a regular face on BBC entertainment and charity telethons such as Comic Relief and Sport Relief.
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The Strictly Years
She hosted It Takes Two from 2004 to 2010, then joined Strictly Come Dancing as results-show co-host in 2010 before becoming Tess Daly's main co-host in 2014. Alongside it she co-presented the BBC's film review show from 2010 to 2016. On 23 October 2025 the pair announced they would leave after that year's series and Christmas special.
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Welcome to the Castle
The Traitors arrived on BBC One in 2022 and became a phenomenon, earning Claudia the BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance in 2023. She hosted the first Celebrity Traitors in 2025, the fourth civilian series from January 2026 and the second celebrity series this autumn.
This year's celebrity line-up includes Richard E. Grant, Michael Sheen, Jerry Hall, Maya Jama and Romesh Ranganathan, with Ed Gamble hosting companion show Uncloaked. Claudia's theatrical delivery at the round table has become a huge part of the show's appeal.
Radio, The Piano and 2026
She presented BBC Radio 2's Saturday mid-morning show from 2021 to 2024 and hosts Channel 4's The Piano. In spring 2026 she launched The Claudia Winkleman Show on BBC One, later announcing she would not return for a second series.
Awards and Honours
BAFTA Television Awards
- Best Entertainment Performance (2019)
- Best Entertainment Performance for The Traitors (2023)
Industry Honours
- Edinburgh TV Festival Outstanding Achievement Award (2023)
- Royal Television Society Outstanding Achievement Award (2025)
State Honours
- MBE for services to broadcasting, 2025 King's Birthday Honours
Away From the Spotlight
Claudia was appointed a trustee of the British Museum in March 2025. She has been married to film producer Kris Thykier since 2000, and the couple have three children. In 2025 she also received the Royal Television Society's Outstanding Achievement Award, recognising more than three decades in broadcasting.
FAQs
How old is Claudia Winkleman?
Claudia Winkleman was born on 15 January 1972, so she is 54 years old.
Where was Claudia Winkleman born?
She was born in Westminster, London.
Is Claudia Winkleman leaving Strictly?
Yes. She and Tess Daly left Strictly Come Dancing after the 2025 series and Christmas special.
Who hosts The Celebrity Traitors 2026?
Claudia Winkleman hosts the second series, which began on BBC One on 1 October 2026.
Has Claudia Winkleman won a BAFTA?
Yes, two: Best Entertainment Performance in 2019 and again in 2023 for The Traitors.
Does Claudia Winkleman have an MBE?
Yes. She was made an MBE for services to broadcasting in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours.
Shop the Claudia Winkleman Collection
Celebrate the queen of the round table with our tribute fan designs, made to order in the UK.
Find more favourites in our TV personalities collection. Want your own name on the chest instead? Design a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: The Traitors Series Story and Ant and Dec Career Story.
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