Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Winkleman is a popular British television presenter, radio presenter, writer and journalist. In this article, we will tell you where she was born, who her parents are, about her husband, children and, of course, the most famous projects involving this celebrity.
Full Name | Claudia Anne Irena Winkleman |
Date of birth | 15 January 1972 |
Place of birth | London, England |
Field of activity | TV presenter, writer, journalist |
Parents | Eva Pollard, Barry Winkleman |
Siblings | Half-sister Sophie Winkleman, half-brother Oliver |
Education | London School for Girls and New Hall, Cambridge University |
Years active | 1991–present |
Husband | Kris Thykier (married since 2000) |
Children | Three |
Height | 5 ft 5 in |
Weight | 58 kg |
Notable projects | The Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing |
Net worth | £9 million |
Biography of Claudia Winkleman
The future star of British television was born on 15 January 1972 in London.
Claudia Winkleman's youth
Claudia Winkleman young
Winkleman attended a girls' school in London and New Hall, Cambridge University, where she earned a master's degree in art history. Despite her academic education, Claudia decided to pursue a career in journalism and television.
Siblings
Claudia Winkleman has half-brothers and sisters on both her mother's and father's side.
Sophie Winkleman
Sophie Winkleman, her half-sister on her father's side, was born in 1980 and became famous for her roles in the television series Peep Show, Two and a Half Men, and others. She is married to Lord Frederick Windsor and is a member of the British royal family.
On her mother's side, Winkleman has a younger half-brother, Oliver.
Parents
Claudia Winkleman parents
Claudia Winkleman's mother and father are journalists by profession. Eva Pollard previously served as editor of the Sunday Express. The TV presenter's father, Barry Winkleman, published books. The Winkleman family is quite well known in Great Britain.
Winkleman's parents divorced when she was three years old, and both remarried when Claudia was seven. Her mother became the wife of newspaper editor Sir Nicholas Lloyd, and her father married children's author Cindy Black.
Claudia Winkleman's career
Claudia Winkleman has achieved success on television, has several successful radio projects, and has major advertising contracts. In addition to her main activities, the celebrity is actively involved in charity work.
Modelling
The television presenter is considered a style icon in Great Britain, her image incorporating elements of Scottish chic.
In the third season of the show ‘The Traitors’ (2025), Winkleman appeared in Countrycore-inspired outfits. She was assisted in creating her image by stylist Sinead MccIfrey, who has been working with the TV presenter for more than two decades.
Claudia Winkleman Head & Shoulders
Winkleman is the face of the Head & Shoulders shampoo brand and has launched her own makeup line for Marks and Spencer.
Claudia is known for her hairstyle — short, straight bangs covering part of her forehead, which has become her trademark look. The TV presenter likes to complement her outfits with colourful jewellery. On Strictly Come Dancing, she always appears in black outfits — it's become a tradition.
TV shows with Claudia Winkleman
Winkleman's television career began in 1991 with appearances on the regional discussion programme Central Weekend, where she collaborated with the BT Group.
Claudia Winkleman Traitors Outfits
In the 1990s, she worked as a reporter on This Morning and hosted several TV projects, including:
- God's Gift.
- Pyjama Party.
- Talking Telephone Numbers.
- Fanorama.
- Tricky.
From 2002 to 2004, she hosted Liquid News on BBC Three, a show related to the entertainment industry.
In 2004, Claudia was invited to join Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, a spin-off show of Strictly Come Dancing, where she worked until 2010.
Claudia Winkleman Strictly Come Dancing
In 2014, she became Tess Daly's co-host on Strictly Come Dancing, replacing Bruce Forsyth. Winkleman and Tess are not only colleagues but also friends, spending a lot of time together even after the cameras stop rolling.
From 2018 to 2020, Claudia hosted two seasons of the reality show Britain's Best Home Cook.
In 2022, she began hosting the hit reality show The Traitors. In this project, participants are divided into two groups and complete tasks to win a prize.
The Traitors Claudia Winkleman
Let's say a few words about other shows hosted by Winkleman.
The Piano is a competition-style programme in which amateur pianists were given the opportunity to perform at The Royal Festival Hall in London. It is noteworthy that Claudia herself admits that she cannot play the piano. As a child, she tried to learn to play the trumpet, but she was unsuccessful.
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two is a spin-off of the main Strictly Come Dancing series. In this programme, the host discussed the nuances of the contestants' performances with dance experts and key figures.
The House Of Tiny Tearaways. A show in which troubled families find themselves in a specially built house to discuss their issues with professionals.
Claudia Winkleman has received several prestigious awards for her work, such as the BAFTA Award for Entertainment Performance (2023) and the Royal Television Award for Best Presenter.
Winkleman has been nominated three times for the British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance for her role as co-host on the BBC One dancing competition show Strictly Come Dancing (2010–present).
Radio
From 2016 to 2020, viewers could hear the celebrity on a Sunday programme on BBC Radio 2.
In April and May 2008, Winkleman hosted the six-part comedy quiz Hot Gossip, dedicated to celebrity gossip.
Claudia Winkleman at radio
In early summer 2017, Claudia replaced Steve Wright in the afternoon slot from 2pm to 5pm.
From 2021, the celebrity hosted a Saturday morning radio show, the last episode of which aired on 23 March 2024.
Charity
Claudia Winkleman supports several charitable associations:
In 2007, the television and radio presenter answered phone calls for the Emergency Committee in connection with the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
Winkleman helped relaunch the National Missing Persons Campaign.
She also participated in a Christmas campaign by a charity shelter aimed at combating domestic violence.
From 2009 to 2015, she was the co-host of the British charity Comic Relief.
From 2010 to 2018, she was one of the hosts of the Sport Relief charity event.
In 2018, Claudia Winkleman was chosen as the representative of Child Bereavement UK at a fundraising event.
In March 2025, the TV presenter and journalist was appointed one of the trustees of the British Museum.
In 2020, Winkleman presented her first book, a collection of essays on friendship, family and everyday things.
Claudia Winkleman's personal life
Claudia Winkleman wedding photo
Claudia Winkleman's personal life is of interest to many people who follow her projects. The public wants to know whether the TV presenter is married and whether the celebrity has children.
Husband
Claudia Winkleman and Kris Thykier
In 2000, Winkleman married producer Kris Thykier. The ceremony took place at Marylebone Town Hall. The couple has been happily together for more than two decades.
Children
The British TV presenter and her husband have three children together: two sons and a daughter. On 31 October 2014, Claudia Winkleman's daughter, who was 8 years old at the time, was taken to hospital with injuries. The girl suffered them when her Halloween costume caught fire after accidentally touching a burning candle in a pumpkin. After this incident, the UK authorities tightened the fire safety requirements for holiday costumes.
Claudia Winkleman children
Net worth
Winkleman has a net worth of around £9 million. Her main source of income is her work on the television programmes Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors. The TV presenter and journalist also earns a decent income from her advertising contract with Head & Shoulders.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Claudia Winkleman married to?
Claudia Winkleman is married to producer Chris Tikir.
How old is Claudia Winkleman?
The British television presenter is 53 years old, having been born on 15 January 1972.
Does Claudia Winkleman wear a wig?
In 2018, there were rumours that Winkleman wore a wig, but the celebrity herself did not confirm this information.
How tall is Claudia Winkleman in feet?
The TV presenter is 5 feet 5 inches tall.
Is Claudia Winkleman Jewish?
Yes, Claudia Winkleman has Jewish roots on her mother's side. Her mother, Eve Pollard, a well-known journalist and writer in England, was born into a Jewish family.
Where does Claudia Winkleman live?
Claudia Winkleman lives in central London, in Connaught Village, near Marble Arch, in a Grade II listed house.
Is Claudia Winkleman related to Michael McIntyre?
Claudia Winkleman and Michael McIntyre are not related. They are both television presenters in Great Britain, hosting programmes such as The Big Night In and Comic Relief.
Why does Claudia Winkleman always wear gloves?
Television projects featuring Claudia Winkleman are often filmed outdoors, such as The Traitors in the Scottish Highlands. Fingerless gloves keep her hands warm without hindering her ability to move her fingers and work with props. This accessory is part of the television presenter's signature style.
Who is Claudia Winkleman's sister married to?
Claudia Winkleman's sister, Sophie Winkleman, is married to Lord Frederick Windsor.
