Claudia Winkleman admits to three 'obsessions' affected by Strictly presenting role
TV host Claudia Winkleman revealed three Saturday night habits she had to say goodbye to when she took on the role of Strictly Come Dancing presenter back in 2010 after original host Bruce Forsyth retired. The 52 year old, who is married to film producer Kris Thykier and has three children, admitted in an interview at the time that she is “like a little old lady” who was previously in bed by 10pm on a Saturday night.
Speaking to The Telegraph in 2010, Claudia described her pre-Strictly Saturday night routine, saying: “I’m usually in bed by 10pm after a long hot bath. I am as obsessive about bathing and showering as I am about sleep.” However, with Strictly Come Dancing currently filming the live shows, the presenter, who co-hosts with Tess Daly, is now based at Hertfordshire’s Elstree Studios until late into the evening each Saturday. Audience members who apply for tickets are told that filming does not finish until 11pm.
This week, however, there will be a change of scenery for Claudia, Tess and all the Strictly dancers, celebrities and judges as it is Blackpool Week on Saturday 16 November. The remaining eight couples get to dance at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, and they will be met with a performance by legendary pop band The Pet Shop Boys.
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Last Sunday, Claudia asked celebrity contestant Pete Wicks what he would be dancing to in the famous ballroom, and his professional partner Jowita Przystal revealed they would be doing the Cha Cha Cha to I'm Too Sexy (For My Shirt) by Right Said Fred, leaving Pete exclaiming, "I don't like the sound of this already!" Fellow contestant Chris McCausland teased, "Pete, I've never seen you dance but this is your song!" which had Pete burying his face in embarrassment while the audience roared with laughter.
Pete also spoke about how special it would be to dance this week. He said: "I honestly can't believe it, I should be absolutely nowhere near Blackpool, but I'm over the moon to be there. More so for Jowita, she's given me so much in the past eight weeks and I know how much it means for the dancers to get to Blackpool." He will be competing alongside Chris, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, Sarah Hadland, Jamie Borthwick, Montell Douglas and Wynne Evans, who survived the dance off against Shayne Ward last week after being saved by head judge Shirley Ballas.
