Claudia Winkleman Opens Up About Strictly Come Dancing Departure
In an exclusive interview, Claudia Winkleman has candidly discussed the emotional decision to leave Strictly Come Dancing alongside co-host Tess Daly last year. The beloved presenter explained that the pair made a pact to exit the hit BBC show together, driven by a desire to avoid complacency and leave on a high note.
The Decision to Leave on a High
"You want to leave when you are loving it," Winkleman revealed. "We were tiny cogs in this huge sparkly, glittery thing. We had props guys holding Eiffel Towers, the amazing band, the dancers, costume and hair and make-up and everything else and the lighting."
She described how even spectacular moments like Gloria Estefan performing in Blackpool had become commonplace by the end of their run. "Both of us were a bit like 'Oh yeah...cool. Alright, so then I do that...' It deserves 'new' change."
Emotional Final Moments
What surprised Winkleman most was the emotional impact of their final live show. "All week was like 'We are fine' but I could not stop crying as it has been my entire life," she confessed. "You know sometimes when you decide something like 'Let's move house'. Then you pick up the final box. Not that you have done something wrong but it just feels big."
Future Viewing Plans with Tess Daly
For Strictly's 2026 launch, Winkleman and Daly have already made plans to watch together away from the cameras. "Tess and I have already planned. We are having jacket potatoes and I am having the salmon. She is coming to ours, her and Vern (husband Vernon Kay). I am not joking. I am going to set her up with a nightie and we are going to watch and support and love it."
Contrasting Roles on The Traitors
Winkleman also discussed her other major project, The Traitors, which requires very different skills compared to fronting Strictly. She credited Tess Daly with doing "all the heavy lifting on Strictly" while explaining her own approach to The Traitors.
"On Traitors I had to be strict. I was worried about that. I am in life a cheerleader like if my kids fill the dishwasher I am like 'Lets film it'. So I am a cheerleader and I am able do that on Traitors when they do the missions. I want to feed them chocolate as I am on their side."
"But I have to get a bit strict like when my kids have not done their homework. I love the game so much so that is how I have to be. The producers did tell me to push it."
Personal Reflections and Family Life
Winkleman, who has been married to film producer Kris Thykier since 2000 and has three children, addressed questions about potential nepotism in her family. With a grin, she said: "I told them to nepo up. One wants to work in hospitality, one wants to be a doctor and one wants to be a chemist. I said 'I can navigate you work experience' and they were like 'No thanks mum.'"
She added that her children show no interest in the entertainment industry, saying "Not unless it comes in a test tube."
Addressing Industry Concerns
During the interview at St John's Wood Synagogue in London for the Lira Winston Fellowships charity event, Winkleman was asked about rising antisemitism. "The industry itself does not feel anti-Semitic to me. That is my experience," she responded. "But the growing anti-Semitism and the growing Islamophobia and racism that we see everywhere is really, really terrifying I suppose."
"I don't want to say terrifying in front of my kids, but it is worrying. And that is why it is so important that we have got to look after each other and people from other communities."
The interview provided rare insight into Winkleman's career decisions, personal reflections, and future plans as she transitions from her long-standing Strictly role while continuing to host The Traitors and other successful television projects.
