Inside Claudia Winkleman’s glamorous life off screen: From Strictly star and mother-of-three’s Hollywood producer husband to unlikely royal connection

Claudia Winkleman is one of TV’s busiest stars as she juggles hosting duties on Strictly Come Dancing, The Traitors and Ch4’s The Piano.

The host, 52, is loved by viewers for her wicked sense of humour not to mention her iconic fringe and use of fake tan.

Previously joking that all she does on screen is ‘paint herself orange and reads from an autocue’.

But off screen she is a busy mother-of-three with a film producer husband, famous mum and sister with a royal connection.  

Here is everything you need to know about Claudia Winkleman’s home life…..  

Behind the scenes: Here is everything you need to know about Claudia Winkleman’s home life (Claudia, L, pictured with Stricty co-host Tess Daly, R)

Who is Claudia Winkleman married to?

Claudia married film producer Kris Thykier, 40, in 2000 in a secret wedding ceremony with just their closest family and friends in attendance.

His movies include 2015’s The Woman In Gold starring Helen Mirren, 2010’s Kick-Ass with Aaron Taylor-Johnson as well as being the executive producer on the hit TV show Riviera which starred Julia Stiles. 

The pair was left to fight for their marriage in 2014 when work commitments threatened to cause a split as the two struggled to juggle both professional and family life. 

Kris was working in Hollywood while the TV presenter was left to hold the fort in London – the result was a mounting pressure which threatened to end their relationship.

Speaking to Red Magazine in 2020 about mending the rift she said: ‘All I know is that you can have a different marriage with the same man.

‘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.’ 

The presenter also revealed that her husband Kris is a better parent to their three children than her.

Wedded bliss: Claudia married film producer Kris Thykier, 40, in 2000 in a secret wedding ceremony with just their closest family and friends in attendance (pictured together in June)

Big wig: His movies include 2015’s The Woman In Gold starring Helen Mirren, 2010’s Kick-Ass with Aaron Taylor-Johnson 

Tough times: The pair was left to fight for their marriage in 2014 when work commitments threatened to cause a split as the two struggled to juggle both professional and family life (pictured in 2017) 

Although she loves being at home with her family, the star admitted it’s a delicate balancing act along with her duties at work.

‘Luckily my husband is a better parent than me,’ she joked to the Daily Mirror.

How many children does Claudia Winkleman have? 

Claudia shares three children – Jake, 19, Matilda, 15, and Arthur, 10 – with her film producer partner.

In 2023 she revealed how she has ignored her kids’ request to quit ’embarrassing’ Strictly Come Dancing role.

Speaking about her son, she said: ‘He said to me, “Mum, you have got to stop doing Strictly, it’s so embarrassing and my teacher has mentioned it”‘.

‘I just went “See those trainers, Jake?” He was like “OK, sorry!”’

In 2014, daughter Matilda was just eight-years-old when she was rushed to hospital on Halloween after suffering ‘horrific’ burns when her costume caught on fire. 

Growing up: Claudia shares three children – Jake, 19, Matilda, 15, and Arthur, 10 – with her film producer partner (Jake and husband Kris pictured in 2021) 

Terror: In 2014, daughter Matilda was just eight-years-old when she was rushed to hospital on Hallowe’en after suffering ‘horrific’ burns when her halloween costume caught on fire (pictured with two of her children and pal Kirsty Young in 2006)  

At the time of the accident, Claudia temporarily stepped down from hosting Strictly Come Dancing and went on to become a staunch campaigner for the safety and regulations around the materials used in children’s fancy dress costumes.

She first opened up about her daughter’s horrifying ordeal on BBC’s Watchdog programme in 2015.

Claudia described the devastating incident as ‘life changing,’ adding: ‘I can’t remember life before it.

Who are Claudia Winkleman’s parents? 

Claudia’s mother Eve Pollard is famous in her own right and has worked for numerous publications including News of The World and The Mail On Sunday.

Meanwhile father is Barry Winkleman is a very successful book publisher. 

They were married in 1968 before divorcing 1975, Eve later married Nicholas Lloyd, with whom she shares son Oliver.  

Previously revealing the advice her parents gave her Claudia said: ‘They told me basically, “You just have to work incredibly hard and don’t be a turd”‘.

Famous footsteps: Claudia’s mother Eve Pollard is famous in her own right and has worked for numerous publications including News of The World and The Mail On Sunday (pictured together in 2019) 

Who is Claudia Winkleman’s sister?  

The presenter’s half-sister is 43-year-old Sophie Winkleman, from her father’s second marriage to children’s author Cindy Black.

Although the girls grew up apart, it turned out that both loved performing, with Sophie becoming an actress making a name for herself in Channel 4 sitcom Peep show. 

Then, in 2009, she married Lord Frederick Windsor, the son of Prince Michael of Kent and his wife Marie-Christine, known as Princess Michael.

Sophie met Lord Frederick Windsor on a night out in Soho and married him in 2009 at Hampton Court Palace.

Royal connection: In 2009, Claudia’s half-sister Sophie Winkleman married Lord Frederick Windsor, the son of Prince Michael of Kent and his wife Marie-Christine, known as Princess Michael

The guests included senior members of the Royal Family and Strictly’s Claudia as bridesmaid. 

Lady Sophie and Lord Freddie spent seven years living in Los Angeles – having moved there the day after their wedding to allow Sophie to continue her acting work.

Her other roles included Ashton Kutcher’s character Walden’s girlfriend Zoe in Two and a Half Man.

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