Claudia Winkleman

Presenter Claudia Winkleman, and her trademark fringe, is the host of Celebrity Traitors season two. The London-born broadcaster has been a familiar face on television for more than three decades - but who is the woman behind the hair?

The daughter of journalist Eve Pollard, known as ‘The First Lady of Fleet Street’, and book publisher Barry Winkleman, as a child Claudia was taken to the National Gallery on weekends by her father to look at one painting at a time for 40 minutes.

This early exposure to the world of art helped secure her place at Cambridge University to study History of Art, while making a name for herself as the only student with a tanning bed in her bedroom.

The start of her career saw her presenting the BBC’s Holiday programme, along with a host of late-night shows including ‘Liquid News’, ‘God’s Gift’ and even a stint on Good Morning with Anne and Nick as the resident dating guru.

But it was moving to co-present Strictly Come Dancing, along with a primetime Radio 2 hosting slot, that led to her biggest role to date - presenting BBC One’s The Traitors, which cemented her status as a household name.

Now, as the second season kicks off, Stephen Smith looks back at the life and career of the woman with the most avant-garde outfits on television.

Production

Producers: Ben Carter and Keiligh Baker

Sound mix: Neil Churchill

Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Editor: Justine Lang

Archive:

Elizabeth Day 'How to Fail'