03 January 2024 , 19:50
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Claudia Winkleman is back on screens tonight with the hotly-anticipated second series of The Traitors.
Fans went wild for the first instalment of the BBC game show in November 2022 and now they're being treated to a whole new cast of 22 players, prepared to backstab to get their hands on £120,000. Claudia earned herself a BAFTA as the face of the nerve-wracking reality show, but she is better known for standing alongside Tess Daly as host of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 51-year-old has had a range of other presenting gigs too, from BBC's Film, where she replaced Jonathan Ross, to The Great British Sewing Bee. In past appearances talking about her life away from the cameras, Claudia, from Westminster, revealed she was brought up by a "staunch feminist" mother, who banned mirrors in the house.
Claudia Winkleman has opened up about the moment she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Kris Thykier (PA)
The pair tied the knot in 2000 (Stephen Lock / i-Images)There is royalty in the family too, as her half-sister Sophie Winkleman, an actress, married Lord Frederick Windsor, who is King Charles III's second cousin. Sophie, best known for playing Big Suze in Peep Show, is entitled to be styled as Lady Frederick Windsor, but continues to use her own name in her professional career.
Known for her luscious locks and trademark fringe, it seems Claudia's marriage is also one to be envious of. In past interviews, the star has been candid about married life, and has opened up about the moment she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Kris Thykier. She tied the knot with the handsome film producer in 2000, meaning they have been together for more than two decades.
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The lovebirds share three children together - Jake, Matilda, and Arthur - and the telly star prides her lasting relationship on her and Kris' ability to laugh at one another. Proving that she's more in love with her husband now more than ever, the brunette beauty detailed the moment she knew in her heart that Kris was ‘the one’ for her.
Lifting the lid on their romance, Claudia told OK! Magazine that she fell completely head over heels for Kris thanks to his kind nature and impeccable manners - and his incredible bedroom skills. "What did it for me was how he behaved in restaurants, bars and planes – indeed, simply around people. 'Thanks so much', 'no rush', 'I'll carry it over for you', 'here, have a drink on us'.
"Having been a waitress every school holiday from the age of 16, it was just that magic characteristic that tipped me over," she explained. She added that he always asks the cab driver how his day is going, and that he'll never take up a seat on the London Underground.
Sophie Winkleman, Lady Frederick Windsor and her husband Lord Frederick Windsor (Getty Images)Opening up about their wild sex life when they first started seeing one another, Claudia insisted that Kris made her 'head shoot off her shoulders' whenever they took their clothes off. The much-loved TV star also fell under Kris' spell due to his intelligence and how he spoke so passionately about history, politics and social issues.
Claudia described Kris' rather serious choice of topical talking issues as ‘her kind of foreplay’. The star recently opened up about the importance of prioritising her partner in her busy showbiz lifestyle. Talking to Red Magazine, she explained: "Working too hard puts a strain on – but we're still working hard now.
"We don't have rules, but we look after each other more. So, whoever comes home first normally makes the dinner. It's just about being nice to each other." Talking amid the release of her new book Quite in 2020, Claudia admitted she sometimes feels pressure on her relationship after seeing other couples gush over one another on social media - and ended up hinting at how often they get intimate.
She declared to The Sun: "I think we put way too much pressure on ourselves. I haven’t had sex with my husband for two days, let's do it on the stairs." Claudia went on to explain that her love life will likely get another boost once her eldest son, Jake, moves out of the family home to set himself up as an independent adult.
The Strictly star said: "I'm sure it will be great. Me and husband will learn how to make stew and we’ll read lots of books and we’ll do tickling – that’s code in case anyone is wondering."