Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, former presenters of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, continue to share a strong connection to the show despite stepping away from their hosting roles last year. The duo decided to leave partly out of concern about becoming complacent but remain fans, planning to watch the upcoming series together at Winkleman’s home alongside Daly and her husband, Vernon Kay.

Winkleman, who now hosts the psychological game show The Traitors as well as her own chat show, described her decision to leave Strictly as a mutual pact with Daly, emphasizing the desire to “leave on a high” while still passionate about the programme. She reflected on their time on the ballroom series as being part of a larger, glittering production that involved many behind-the-scenes contributors, from dancers to costume teams and musicians.

One standout memory she shared included practicing the conga after learning that Gloria Estefan was set to perform in Blackpool. Yet, over time, the novelty of meeting celebrities and learning new dances wore off, prompting them to seek fresh challenges. Winkleman recalled feeling unexpectedly emotional following the final live show, acknowledging the significance of closing a chapter that had defined much of her career.

Since departing Strictly, Winkleman has seen success across various formats, including The Traitors and its celebrity spin-off, as well as critically acclaimed projects like The Piano on Channel 4. Despite this, she expressed modesty about her chat show skills compared to established hosts like Graham Norton, noting that she initially found the format intimidating but has grown more comfortable over time.

Discussing The Traitors, a series centered on contestants deceiving each other to win a prize, Winkleman highlighted how hosting it has required her to adopt a firmer on-screen presence, contrasting with the more supportive role she displayed on Strictly. She admitted the show has deepened her awareness of deceit and human psychology, challenging the notion of “gut instinct” and illustrating how people can be persuaded to believe falsehoods.

Outside of her professional life, Winkleman spoke about her family during a recent charity event marking Lira Winston Fellowships, which support Jewish educators. Married to film producer Kris Thykier since 2000, she has three children who have chosen career paths unrelated to the entertainment industry. Despite encouraging them to leverage family connections, they have expressed interest in hospitality, medicine, and chemistry instead.

On the topic of rising antisemitism and broader social issues, Winkleman acknowledged growing concerns about increases in antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism, describing these trends as “worrying” and stressing the importance of mutual support across communities. However, she noted that, in her personal experience, the entertainment industry itself did not feel antisemitic.

Looking ahead, Winkleman plans to continue hosting The Traitors while balancing her other projects, maintaining a thoughtful but optimistic outlook on the evolving nature of her career.