The rise of Claudia Winkleman: A TV presenter's journey to the top
In the cutthroat world of television, there's an unspoken rule that many presenters live by: "Don't quit a hit." Yet, Claudia Winkleman's recent departure from Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly has left many fans scratching their heads. But here's where it gets interesting: Winkleman's decision wasn't just about leaving a successful show; it was about embracing an even bigger opportunity.
Winkleman, a seasoned presenter with a three-decade-long career, has found her latest hit in "The Traitors." This BBC gem, which she began hosting in 2022, has become a massive success, attracting over 13 million viewers for its celebrity spin-off. It's a show that has allowed Winkleman to showcase her versatility, from her stern and severe side to her silly, camp, and warm persona, always seeming to be on the contestants' side.
"She's the number one presenter in the country right now," says Alex Segal, managing director of InterTalent. "Yes, Ant and Dec are still a force to be reckoned with, but Winkleman's trajectory, the love she receives, and her ability to draw viewers make her a force of nature."
Winkleman's journey has taken her from a Scottish castle to a Hertfordshire ballroom and even to a train station piano for Channel 4's "The Piano." But her next step might just be the biggest yet: her own chat show.
Industry reports suggest Winkleman is in advanced talks with Graham Norton's production company, So Television, to host her very own talk series. Jake Kanter from Deadline, who reported on the negotiations, says, "It's a testament to Winkleman's meteoric rise. She's keen to take on this challenge, and it's a personal ambition of hers."
While Winkleman may be seen as Norton's successor, there would be no direct clash. Her show would air during the months when The Graham Norton Show, still a massive audience draw, is off the air.
Kanter notes that Winkleman's guest appearance on Norton's chat show earlier this year might have sparked these discussions. "The BBC saw her potential, and they've likely been working behind the scenes to ensure the format is a perfect fit for her."
A chat show is a logical progression for Winkleman, given her current success and her long-standing career in television.
Winkleman's background is as fascinating as her on-screen persona. The daughter of newspaper editor Eve Pollard and book publisher Barry Winkleman, she studied art history at Cambridge before launching her TV career in her twenties. Her willingness to take on any role saw her become a familiar face on BBC's "Holiday" in the 1990s, and her CV expanded to include gameshows, dating formats, and children's programs.
In a typically self-deprecating manner, Winkleman credits her success to her iconic fringe haircut. "It's given me a career," she wrote in her memoir, "Quite." She believes producers remembered her as "the orange one with the fringe," adding, "It's not because I read out loud better than anyone else... It's because I have a unique look and style."
Winkleman's early career also saw her as a pundit on daytime TV shows. A fascinating clip from 1996 shows her billed as a "chat-up connoisseur" on Good Morning with Anne and Nick. At 24, her voice was higher, and her accent more refined, but her comfort on camera and her appeal have remained consistent over the decades.
"She's funny, with a natural comic timing and an ability to entertain," says Frances Taylor, TV previews editor at Radio Times. "Her self-deprecating humor is her secret weapon; she's always willing to make herself the butt of the joke."
Kanter adds that Winkleman is "incredibly authentic." "She's the best friend you'd love to have. Her fun, empathetic, and understanding nature shines through on screen."
Despite her success, Winkleman's salary is no longer published by the BBC, but she remains one of the corporation's top earners, with earnings over £450,000 in 2017.
Not all of Winkleman's ventures have been hits. "Britain's Best Home Cook" on BBC One, for instance, had relatively middling ratings despite the star power of Winkleman and Mary Berry. Some also felt her Radio 2 Saturday morning slot was less successful than Norton's.
Away from the screen, Winkleman shares three children with her husband of 25 years, film producer Kris Thykier. She often speaks of her close-knit family life and her desire to spend more time at home with her children. The family has also faced personal struggles, with her daughter Matilda suffering serious injuries in a Halloween costume fire in 2014. Matilda, now 19, has since studied at the University of Bath.
Winkleman's ability to avoid controversy is notable. She rarely shares her political views or grants interviews, believing, "Opinions are never a good idea. Whatever you do, don't have an opinion."
She has, however, navigated tricky situations, like when she was a presenter on the BBC's "Liquid News." During an interview with S Club 7 about their break-up, Winkleman asked a delicate question, and the group's publicist halted the interview.
Despite her success, Winkleman's future might see her taking on fewer projects. "The more successful you become, the less work you do," says Segal. "At a certain level, you become selective, and your rates increase. Doing less can limit the risk of failure."
Segal suspects Winkleman is often the first choice for many shows, adding, "She's probably inundated with new ideas daily and has to say no to most of them."
As Winkleman's stardom continues to rise, the question remains: Can she successfully host a chat show? Norton makes it look effortless, but he's a master of his craft. Even Davina McCall, a highly capable presenter, struggled with her chat show in 2006.
"Chat shows hosted by popular TV personalities don't always work," says former BBC One controller Peter Fincham. "Winkleman's success could lead to public fatigue, which is a risk for presenters at her level."
"Are we at peak Claudia? Possibly," says Kanter. "It's something she and her agent are likely considering."
Will Winkleman's chat show be a success? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: her journey to the top has been nothing short of remarkable.
