'The contestants are like my children'

Host of hit gameshow The Traitors Claudia Winkleman opens up about what we can expect from series three and how, despite having three children herself, the players are like family to her

- LAUREN MORRIS

An overgrown fringe, jet-black eyeliner and fingerless gloves is a look that has become synonymous with presenter Claudia Winkleman and her role on The Traitors — the camp and conniving reality show that has become a big success for the BBC. Now into its third series, The Traitors sees Claudia shed her glittery Strictly persona to embrace her darker, tweed-wearing side as Faithfuls are savagely picked off by Traitors over three weeks in a Scottish castle. However, the 52-year-old admits that she can’t stop her maternal instincts from breaking through her icy exterior.

“The contestants are like my children, who I’m sometimes incredibly mean to,” she says. “I love them all. I consider them my children and they call me Auntie Claude or even Mummy by the end.”

In fact, while Claudia adopts a cold, cool demeanour on screen, she found herself in tears behind the scenes during one particular elimination. “You don’t see it, thank God, but I really cried when somebody was banished this year,” she admits. “I properly cried — it was probably a bit unhealthy. Two of the contestants came out and the three of us were just crying together.”

Claudia even keeps in contact with The Traitors contestants after the show. “I was texting Maddy Smedley from series one the other day. And I sent a message to Charlotte Chilton’s aunt. Matt Harris from series one wanted to show me his new skill — I thought that sounded like code for something else but it was skateboarding,” she smiles.

“I stay in touch with all of them because I’m so grateful to them for playing, and for playing the way they do. The series three contestants are extraordinary game players.”