BBC presenter Claudia Winkleman has candidly discussed her ongoing health concerns, revealing that issues with her vision and spine have left her feeling like she is 'falling apart'.
Battling Years of Poor Posture
The 53-year-old host of The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing opened up about the physical toll of decades of not 'standing up straight'. Speaking on Gabby Logan's The Mid.Point podcast, Winkleman described her physique in self-deprecating terms, stating, 'My body is made entirely of crepe.'
To combat this, she has now enlisted a personal trainer to build strength, particularly focusing on her core and back. 'I've got a bad back and I need some form of strength,' she explained. The star admitted she was unfamiliar with key muscle groups, recalling, 'They said, 'The problem is you've never used your lats'. I was like, 'What is that?''
Winkleman attributed her habitual slouch to a dislike for the 'cocky' look of upright posture, comparing her own stance to that of a turtle.
A New Routine with Pilates
The presenter has turned to Pilates in an effort to correct her alignment and improve her body awareness. The exercise discipline is renowned for helping with posture, flexibility, and strength. However, Winkleman finds the proper position feels unnatural. 'When they do open me up and I sit or stand like I'm supposed to... it feels alien,' she confessed.
Ongoing Struggle with Eyesight
During the same revealing interview, Winkleman also provided an update on her myopia, or short-sightedness. This common condition, which the NHS states makes distant objects appear blurred, has led to practical difficulties for the star, including walking into walls and challenges with driving and reading.
Despite undergoing two eye operations, she still faces hurdles. 'Because I was so short-sighted, by them fixing it, I'm not long-sighted, so I can't really read anymore,' Winkleman said. She now relies on glasses with a 2.5 prescription to manage the condition.
Career Unaffected by Health Woes
Fortunately, these health issues have not hindered her successful broadcasting career. A fixture on Strictly Come Dancing since 2004 and the presenter of Channel 4's The Piano, Winkleman also had a long-running show on BBC Radio 2 until 2024.
Fans can next see the mother-of-three on screen as the hit BBC series The Traitors returns for its fourth civilian series. The first episode is scheduled to air on BBC1 and iPlayer on New Year's Day at 8pm.
