Beloved television presenter Claudia Winkleman, who celebrates her 54th birthday today, has candidly revealed the significant health challenges she has faced behind her glittering career. The host of The Traitors and former Strictly Come Dancing star has spoken openly about a chronic eye condition, postural issues, and a surprising mid-life dental correction.
A Lifelong Battle With Severe Myopia
One of Claudia Winkleman's most significant and ongoing health struggles is with extreme myopia, or short-sightedness. The condition, which affects roughly one in three people in the UK, has been a lifelong issue for the presenter, leading to multiple eye operations.
She revealed on Gabby Logan's Mid-Point podcast that she underwent a lens replacement in her left eye 14 years ago due to severe astigmatism, where her prescription reached an astonishing minus 16. Further surgical interventions have ironically left her long-sighted, meaning she now struggles to read. "I can't really read anymore," she admitted, explaining she requires +2.5 glasses, which are still insufficient for reading a novel like The Bee Sting in low light.
The condition has professional repercussions. In a 2021 interview, Winkleman confessed it is "embarrassing" as she finds it difficult to read the autocue, a fundamental tool for any TV host. "I can't even begin to tell you how blind I am," she said. "I'm not meant to drive. I am doing the wrong job."
'Falling Apart': Posture Problems and Pilates
Beyond her eyesight, Winkleman has grappled with long-term physical issues related to her posture, which she humorously describes as leaving her body "made entirely of crepe" and "falling apart." She attributes this to never having "stood up straight" in her life, adopting a stance she compares to a "turtle."
She is now working with a Pilates instructor to build strength, particularly targeting underused muscles like her latissimus dorsi (lats). "The problem is you've never used your lats," she was told, noting her shoulders were perpetually raised by her neck. Pilates is known to improve posture, flexibility, and core strength, which Winkleman hopes will address her bad back and overall physical stability.
The Invisible Brace of a 'Mid-Life Crisis'
In a lighter revelation, the star shared that she underwent a secret dental transformation. During what she termed a "mid-life crisis," Winkleman fitted Invisalign clear aligners after discovering her teeth were becoming crooked.
Speaking on the Emma Guns Show in 2018, she explained: "My teeth suddenly went crooked, one morning they all decided to fold in front of each other... so I got this, I'm slightly in love with it. They're so clever."
Despite these health battles, Claudia Winkleman's career continues to flourish. After 15 years on Strictly Come Dancing, she now fronts the hugely successful The Traitors and its celebrity version, with a new BBC chat show slated for this spring. Fans can see her host the finale of The Traitors on Friday, January 23, on BBC One.
