Inside Claudia Winkleman’s marriage from first meeting to family and children

Tess Daly on her close friendship with Claudia Winkleman

Marriage to Kris Thykier

Claudia Winkleman has been married to film producer Kris Thykier since 2000 and the pair have three children together: Jake, Matilda and Arthur.

Kris is known for several big titles such as Kick-Ass, The Woman in Gold and Riviera.

The family are private away from their public careers and generally keep their children out of the limelight.

Back in 2014, the family suffered a terrifying ordeal when Matilda was seriously injured after her Halloween costume caught fire.

The then eight-year-old had moved close to a candle which sparked the fire, and the incident sparked government changes around the regulations of costume standards. Thankfully, the youngster made a full recovery.

First meeting with Kris

Claudia first met Kris through mutual friends and got married in a secret ceremony in 2000, as reported by Hello!

Claudia hasn’t revealed much about the wedding itself but once admitted she thought her wedding dress was “disgusting”.

Speaking on The Wheel in 2021, she told a contestant on the gameshow: “I am going to buy you a wedding dress because I don’t think that’s the right answer.

“Mine was disgusting so I won’t lend it to you, but that’s what we’re going to do.”

After giving the incorrect answer it was revealed after the show that Claudia sweetly kept to her word and took Antonia on a shopping trip to find her perfect dress.

Speaking elsewhere about her marriage, Claudia once told Red Magazine:”Kris is very Scandinavian. We’ve been together for 22 years and he’s never once said to me, ‘What’s for dinner?’ It’s always been, ‘What shall we have for dinner?'”

Life together in London

The couple reside in the capital, and Claudia has expressed her love of living there.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, she stated: “I can leave my house at 4am and buy a kebab, rent a movie and get some shampoo.”

The family live in Connaught Village and while her wedding was a secret, it took place in Marylebone Town Hall.

Strictly Come Dancing career

Claudia Winkleman has been hosting BBC favourite Strictly Come Dancing’s main show alongside Tess Daly since 2014.

Before that, she hosted the show’s spin-off series, It Takes Two between 2004 and 2010 before moving on to host the main results show on Sunday nights for the next few years.

As such a long-term fixture of the show, Claudia has worked with all the judges who have been and gone as well as the hosts.

Among them was the late judge Len Goodman, who died earlier this year.

She was one of the many stars to pay tribute to the 78-year-old and in view of her 942,000 followers, she described Len as a “one of a kind”.

She wrote: “I’m so sad about Len. He was one of a kind, a brilliant and kind man. Full of twinkle, warmth and wit. Sending all love to his family and friends. X.” (sic)

Iconic hair style

As well as her presenting skills and warm nature, Claudia is instantly recognisable for her iconic long fringe.

She has sported the look for years and fans would likely go into meltdown if she got rid of it.

Talking about her hair, she stated in 2019: “I’ve had my fringe for over twenty years now. There could be squirrels living under there for all I know.

“It started out quite wispy and floaty, but I immediately got my hairdresser to change it for a strong, Lego-like style. Once I saw that I fell in love and haven’t been without it since.”

Speaking to Good Housekeeping, she continued: “I prefer it when I can’t see out of it and have to part it like a curtain.”

‘Royal’ sister

Claudia also has a famous younger half-sister, Sophie Winkleman.

Sophie is known for being an actress, having starred in Sanditon and other TV roles, but she is also married to a royal.

Sophie married Lord Frederick Windsor back in 2009, who is the son of the late Queen’s first cousin Prince Michael of Kent, making Sophie one of the newer additions to the royals.

The pair have two daughters, nine-year-old Maud and Isabella, seven.

Speaking to The Times in 2020, Sophie talked about the wonderful time she has shared with the Royal Family since becoming a member in 2009.

Sophie explained: “I’ve been incredibly welcomed with open arms by all of them. The Queen’s been wonderful, Prince Charles has been wonderful, Prince William’s been heaven.”

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