Claudia Winkleman thought TV career was 'over' during The Traitors filming
The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman initially turned down the hosting job before being convinced by an TV executive, and she wasn't convinced she'd made the right decision as filming got underway.
Claudia Winkleman thought her career was "over" when she first started filming The Traitors.
The 54-year-old star, who is fronted all four series of the hit BBC show and its two celebrity spinoffs, has admitted she initially turned down the job before a TV executive convinced her to watch the original Dutch show which has become a global phenomenon.
She told Harper's Bazaar magazine: "I’m always in bed at 9pm with my book, but I started watching, and at midnight, I sent her a text saying, 'I’ll buy my own ticket.' "
Claudia was amazed by how popular the show has ended up being, with millions of viewers tuning into each episode.
She said: "We had no idea. My husband rang to ask how the filming was going, and I said, 'I’m standing in the Highlands wearing red fingerless gloves and carrying a ceremonial pouch – I think it’s over. But I’ve had a good run…'"
However, like the rest of the UK, Claudia has been gripped by the format and the way it delves into human behaviour.
She added: "I find the whole thing fascinating. It’s such a good game. I’m so into it, like I’ve never been on anything else. I live and breathe it."
The former Strictly Come Dancing star has described The Traitors and The Celebrity Traitors as "the greatest honour" of her career, and she has found herself "shaking and shallow breathing" during tense moments, or crying at the end of each series.
She added: "I can’t help it."
After the success of The Traitors, the BBC commissioned The Claudia Winkleman Show, giving the host her own chat show, which ran for seven episodes (including a compilation) with guests including Jeff Goldblum, Rachel Zegler, Lisa Kudrow, Rita Wilson, Olivia Cooke and Dan Levy.
However, she has now said: "The BBC wanted me to give it a go. Maybe, I thought, let’s try something different?
"But never again. That’s it. It wasn’t for me. I didn’t enjoy it, I didn’t like having my name on it, it’s not what I’m good at.
"I need a format – it can’t just be me. They said, 'OK, if that’s your decision, but we’d like you to try again', and I was like, no. Once was enough."
The Celebrity Traitors came to a dramatic conclusion on Friday (30.10.26) as comedian Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft emerged victorious for the Faithfuls.
Claudia is set to return to the castle for a new series of the civilian Traitors, which will air in January.
Back in March, the BBC confirmed a three-year deal keeping both UK versions of the show on air until at least 2030.
