Claudia Winkleman reveals reason why she initially turned down The Traitors
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Claudia Winkleman, 52, opened up about what led to a major change of heart when it came to hosting The Traitors. The Strictly Come Dancing presenter starting hosting new BBC show The Traitors in 2022, and it was an instant hit. However, speaking to Gabby Logan on her podcast The Mid Point, Claudia revealed that her first instinct was to say no to the reality show.
The duo started talking about how Claudia’s career has remained so strong, with Gabby praising the star’s punctuality and caring of everything she works in. “I do care,” Claudia said. I mean, I’ve just commissioned this amazing knitwear person who’s made me a Traitors sleeveless sweater… It’s going to be worn for the press screening on Monday, and I’m so excited! So I feel incredibly lucky.”.
Claudia then spoke about how she turned down The Traitors when first asked, worrying that filming in the Scottish Highlands wouldn’t fit with her homebody lifestyle. She revealed: “The Traitors is something that I initially turned down, because you know I don’t like leaving my bed or the kids, and they were like, ‘Would you go to Scotland for three and a half weeks?’ And I was like, ‘I don’t think so.’ And then I watched the Dutch version. I became so obsessed, I sent an email to Kate Phillips - who offered me the job, works at the BBC - saying, ‘I booked a train, I want to do this more than anything.’”.
The mother of three gushed: “Because it is a privilege to watch the psychology and the gameplay up close. And those roundtables where - you might not have seen it - but there’s a roundtable at the end. Where - and I sort of disappear into the wall, all the cameras are hidden - to stand in there 11 times or however many it is and watch people try to work it out is an honour. It’s the thrill of my life.”.
