Claudia Winkleman has returned to screens as the host of Celebrity Traitors, but her life away from the cameras includes a royal family connection and a marriage to a renowned film producer.
The 54-year-old presenter resumed her duties for the new series, handpicking the Traitors as a fresh cohort of famous faces arrived at the castle for the ultimate test of lies and betrayal. While viewers follow the drama on television, Winkleman's personal life remains equally intriguing.
Royal Family Connection
Winkleman's half-sister Sophie Winkleman, known for playing Big Suze in Peep Show, entered royal circles in 2009 after marrying Lord Frederick Windsor, son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Lord Frederick stands as second cousin to King Charles III and holds 54th position in the line of succession to the British throne.
Sophie, who shares their father Barry with Claudia, has appeared in programmes including Death in Paradise and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. She regularly attends royal events and was photographed sharing a laugh with King Charles at Royal Ascot.
Marriage to Film Producer
Claudia married film producer Kris Thykier in 2000. His credits include major films such as Kick-Ass and Operation Mincemeat, alongside Apple TV's Hijack and Netflix's Fate: The Winx Saga.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, Winkleman revealed she was smitten with Thykier due to his considerate character. She explained: "What did it for me was how he behaved in restaurants, bars and planes – indeed, simply around people. 'Thanks so much', 'no rush', 'I'll carry it over for you', 'here, have a drink on us'. Having been a waitress every school holiday from the age of 16, it was just that magic characteristic that tipped me over."
She mentioned that he consistently asks about the cab driver's day and refuses to take up a seat on the Tube. Claudia previously admitted that Kris made her "head shoot off her shoulders" whenever they took their clothes off.
Speaking to Red Magazine, she said: "Working too hard puts a strain on – but we're still working hard now. We don't have rules, but we look after each other more. So, whoever comes home first normally makes the dinner. It's just about being nice to each other."
The television presenter admitted her romantic life is set to improve once her children leave home. She revealed to The Sun: "I'm sure it will be great. Me and husband will learn how to make stew and we'll read lots of books and we'll do tickling – that's code in case anyone is wondering."
Children and Strictly
Winkleman's devotion to her children nearly prompted her to leave Strictly Come Dancing earlier than she did. Although she departed the programme alongside co-presenter Tess Daly last year, her stint on the show almost ended far sooner.
She recounted on Radio 4's Woman's Hour that she telephoned her bosses "in tears" as she worried Strictly would coincide with her son's departure for university. Claudia recalled: "I phoned the boss of Strictly quite dramatically and said, through tears, 'Sarah, I love you. I don't want to leave Strictly, and Tess and I have agreed we will leave together when they're done with us, but if the first show is September 13, I'm out, and you'll have to go with somebody else.' And there was a beat. And she said, 'Quite dramatic. We don't start that week.' I was like, 'Alright. I have to go and put up his posters.' It's not that I love him more than others love their kids, but this is something parents have to go through."
The couple share three children: Jake, 23; Matilda, 20; and Arthur, 15.
