It was a sliding doors moment if ever there was one.
For Claudia Winkleman, returning for a second season of “Traitors” was a “bit of a risk.”
Not wanting to ruin the magic of the first series in 2022, she left the BBC stunned in a tense conversation as she broke the bad news to BBC bosses: “Let's leave it at that” after being exhausted and stunned by the success of was the first season.
Then, she says, they “had a word,” also took her temperature and finally persuaded her to do so.
Today, friends of the star say she just can't believe it occurred to her that she wouldn't be returning to the Scottish castle where she is the show's wily host.
ITV insiders say she was once “much more for the BBC”, but after winning over a young audience on The Traitors there are some bosses at the network who are keen to poach her, especially with this it attracts people -Demand an 18 to 24 year old audience
Those close to her say they “can't fully understand how this could have happened and they can't believe that Claudia originally didn't want to do a second season of Traitors.”
Because it has undoubtedly made her the most sought-after TV star in the country – so much so that ITV is in the process of signing her.
TV insiders say they once thought “much more of the BBC” but after she won over a young audience on The Traitors there are some of the network's bosses who are keen to poach her, especially with this it attracts people -Demand an 18 to 24 year old audience.
A channel source told the Mail: “She was never really ITV-ish, perhaps she was seen as too unreliable, but this series of Traitors has changed that.”
“There are some at ITV who fear they may have missed a trick with her early on, so they are determined to find something for her, anything, some say.”
For Claudia, however, her rise from one of the many female TV presenters to “the one everyone wants” came at a difficult time.
Aware that her children Jake, 20, Matilda, 17, and Arthur, 10, are growing up quickly, she is determined to “find the right balance” as a working mother, which has sparked fears among some senior BBC executives. that she might decide to step down from Strictly and work in a more timely manner.
She began presenting the BBC One dance show in 2010 when the late Sir Bruce Forsyth stepped down from presenting the Sunday evening episode.
In a promotional interview for Traitors, she admitted she might just quit, saying: “I was sitting on the train and I was talking to my husband and I said, 'It's over but I've had a good run and that's why I should be on Strictly.' “Stand back and just hide.”
Claudia has already turned down the opportunity to host a Graham Norton-style interview show after filming a pilot with the comic's production company, So Television.
Claudia, pictured here with co-host Tess Daly, began presenting the BBC One dance show in 2010 when the late Sir Bruce Forsyth stepped down from presenting the Sunday evening episode
In fact, it's no secret that she wants to reduce her work rather than strive for more. She left Radio 2 at the end of last year so she could spend more time as a mother and now there are fears her schedule could be cut even further.
One says: “I made sure to sign Claudia when she wasn't nearly as in demand as she is now and the working hours weren't exactly convenient for her.”
“It takes up most of her Saturday and she doesn't get home until well after midnight when there are so many tasks that can be completed within normal working hours.” There is concern that there will soon be a crossroads and she could decide to go there.
“That would be an incredibly sad day.”
Those close to Claudia say that she “absolutely loves the show” and that she has no plans to stop at the moment.
In fact, it's part of a pretty small workload. There's a new series Traitors that she'll be filming sometime later this year, her Channel 4 show The Piano – a search for Britain's amateur pianists – and of course Strictly.
Money doesn't matter to them. Although she is said to “hate” talking about her wealth, her net worth is estimated to be around £9 million. However, her husband, film producer and former PR guru Kris Thykier – the father of her three children – has his own fortune.
The family lives in a listed townhouse in central London, close to where Claudia grew up.
Today their earnings are not disclosed as The Traitors is produced by production company Studio Lambert, which is paid directly by the BBC. Strictly is now produced by BBC Studios – the broadcaster's commercial arm. However, it is estimated that she is paid around £400,000 for her work on the scheme.
So what does it mean that Claudia is adored not only by her viewers, but also by so many bosses in the industry?
One TV executive said: “She's mainstream but super cool at the same time.” Super cool without trying to be super cool, that's how TV executives see her. Here the presenter is pictured with this year's participants from “The Traitors”.
Someone who knows her well tells me: “Claudia is an absolute professional, always on time, always prepared, never a drama and always great fun to work with.” Basically, there's just no fluff, no fluff, she Just keep going.”
In fact, it has been floating around the media world for more than two decades.
A TV executive adds: “She's mainstream but super cool at the same time.” Super cool without trying to be super cool, that's how TV executives see her.
“She also knows how to play things the right way, which many of her cohorts don’t quite manage.”
Claudia certainly has an advantage over her peers – she grew up watching her mother, journalist Eve Pollard, criticize those who came before her in the tabloids she edited.
As a teenager, Claudia confidently visited her office and pored over the day's headlines, giving her a unique insight into the fame game that would serve her so well in her adult life.
One of her mother's colleagues said at the time: “Claudia would often go in after school and look around to see what was going on.” She found it fascinating, she was a smart young thing who would soak it up.
“When she was young, it must have given her a little bit of a head start on how to be professional and how to play the game so people wouldn't think you were a big guy, Charlie.”
Ms Pollard beams with pride as she talks about her daughter, who made a name for herself as presenter of the now-defunct showbiz bulletin Liquid News, which aired on BBC Three.
Claudia vied to make a name for herself at the same time as Ms Pollard's tabloid journalist and her friend Anne Robinson's daughter, Emma Wilson. It's fair to say that the Pollard/Winkleman family is pleased that Claudia's rise has been a little more substantial.
It's fair to say that Claudia has been mocked for her “look” for several years now – especially THAT edge. She has now become a fashion icon thanks to her very British tweed look in the Highlands show.
Among her fashion choices on The Traitors was a £595 argyle vest from luxury British brand Purdey London, which has sold out since it was featured in the first episode
There was a £595 argyle vest from British luxury brand Purdey London, which has sold out since it premiered in the first episode, a £480 smiley face jumper from Japanese menswear brand Kapital in episode two, and a mohair kilt worth £259 from Highland brand Brora and Dr. Martens Chelsea boots for £180.
Another look included a £1,320 khaki cashmere felt coat from Parisian brand Officine Generale, a £185 patterned cashmere jumper from Brora, £179 Cordings tweed trousers and £125 green Hunter wellies.
Then there was the standout Yves Saint Laurent velvet blazer worth £2,175.
Her fashion choices are thanks to the highly regarded Sinead McKeefry – her stylist who has previously worked with the likes of Amanda Holden and Holly Willoughby.
Ms. McKeefry only had two weeks to put the outfits together, and for the first time fashion houses are really taking notice of Claudia.
Other members of her “glamour team” include Dusty Springfield’s former make-up artist Debbie Dannell, who has worked with Claudia for many years.
The experienced Ms. Dannell has also done makeup for Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. She is joined by Amy Heath, who styles Claudia's bangs and has previously worked with Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan, Susanna Reid and Charlotte Hawkins.