Claudia Winkleman is a seasoned Strictly Come Dancing host, having helmed BBC's flagship Saturday night show for 14 years now, alongside sidekick Tess Daly. With the 20th anniversary series starting this weekend, marking the unofficial launch of autumn and the countdown to Christmas, Claudia, 52, admits that broadcasting live to millions is not something that has become easy-breezy, in spite of all her experience.
'I’m absolutely terrified,' Claudia says of those opening moments when she walks out to the Strictly theme tune. 'I squeeze Tess on the arm and I love her because she lets me.'
For Tess, 55, it's a similar tale. The presenter has fronted the show since the first series in 2004, originally sharing hosting duties with the late Bruce Forsyth. 'I still get butterflies,' she admits. 'It’s genuinely one of the most exciting moments of the entire show once our brilliant director, Nikki [Parson]’s count begins in my ear and the theme tune starts up. The air in the studio feels like it’s crackling with adrenaline. The brilliant audience is clapping, cheering, and [they] get so involved. Their energy feeds us - it’s contagious.'
Claudia has been a staple on Strictly Come Dancing for its 20-year tenure. Before replacing Bruce as Tess's co-host in 2010, the Traitors presenter was the face of Strictly's spin-off show, It Takes Two.
Reflecting on being an integral part of the show's two decades, Claudia says, 'It feels a total honour and privilege. I love working on Strictly so much. I start getting excited in July. The fake tanning starts in earnest on September 1st and there’s no let up until Christmas.'
She adds, 'Strictly I suppose means family to me. So many of the same people who work on the show have been there for years so we all know each other really well.'
Millie Payne is a News and Entertainment Writer for Grazia. She has specialised in showbiz interviews, features, articles and roundups for over three years and loves combining her love for writing, talking and all things popular culture.