Six life lessons Claudia Winkleman has taught us
A national treasure with a penchant for fake tan and the most famous fringe in the UK, Claudia's one of the wisest women on TV…
With her quick wit, emotional intelligence and trademark fringe, Claudia Winkleman has cemented herself as one of Britain’s most trusted, comforting and hilarious voices.
Having fronted three of the biggest UK primetime TV shows – Traitors, Strictly and The Piano – as well as her own radio show and podcast, Claudia is set to host her own chat show on BBC One and iPlayer in spring 2026. But she’s not only given us hours of entertainment but some crucial life lessons over the years too.
Here are just six of the best…
Dress to please yourself
Becoming a fashion influencer wasn’t on Claudia’s vision board but she’s now a much loved style icon famous for her Traitors look in particular. Donning capes, a splash of tartan, and comfy boots for the bracing Scottish highlands, Claudia has created a look of her own - albeit with her fantastic stylist Sinead McKeefry - dressing for comfort, warmth and individuality over trends. “I don’t understand what happened. I’m a 52-year-old woman who happens to like a fingerless glove. I’m a tiny orange lady, and my fringe is too long,” she said last year of her style icon status. Claudia had previously described her look as “a male mature French student, let’s call him Jean.” Claudia’s freedom with fashion inspires us to dress for ourselves in spite of, not because, what the catwalks and red carpets show us. Vive la révolution.
Leave your job before you’re ready to
Claudia and Strictly co-host Tess Daly shocked us all when they quit the show last year. But Claudia said, “I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go.” A great example of not playing it safe and leaving a job before the sparkle begins to dim. Claudia’s taught us all to step out of your comfort zone and challenge ourselves to move on in our careers, even when we don’t feel completely ready to.
Stay unapologetically authentic
Forget the old adage ‘new year, new you’. Claudia has spent decades on our screens without reinventing herself to stay relevant. The glossy black fringe, obsession with fake tan and verging on OTT heavily lined eyes have made Claudia one of the most distinctive faces we know and love. She’s certainly never tried to tone herself down to fit a glossy mould. Instead, she became more herself, doubling down on the style she loves, TV shows she believes in and a work/life balance that rarely sees her at a red carpet event. Claudia’s steadfastness to her true self somehow makes it even more powerful. And that fringe isn’t going anywhere! “You may loathe my fringe, but, and I’m being perfectly serious here, it’s given me a career,” she wrote in her 2020 memoir, Quite.
Imposter syndrome is normal - but comparison is a miserable hobby
Claudia has talked openly about anxiety, fear and vulnerability but doesn’t dwell on the negative. “I love a bit of imposter syndrome. I think it’s super healthy,” she said. “I’ve met people who don’t have it – they’re awful. I think it’s okay to think, “How have I got here?”, “When are they going to find out?”, and “I’m really not that good!”. And I want to instil that in my kids, too. Entitlement is not fine.” Claudia normalises self doubt while encouraging us not to overthink it, and certainly doesn’t play the comparison game. “Comparing and contrasting yourself with others is just a very bad idea,” she’s said, advising us all to stop ruminating over others who we might think are prettier, smarter or funnier than you. Instead, simply “wish them well” and focus on your own strengths and joy. Sage advice.
Prioritise your female friendships
Very much a girls girl, Claudia and Strictly co-presenter Tess Daly made history as primetime TV’s first female presenting duo. And Claudia makes her female friends central to her life. “I don’t minimise my achievements when it comes to friendships. I’m proud of those, I’ve got the best group of girls.” While romantic relationships are so often celebrated in society, Claudia reminds us to centre our girlfriends and mark the special moments that define our friendships.
Feminism is for everyone
Unsurprising with staunch feminist and trailblazing editor Eve Pollard as her mother, Claudia is all for feminism. “I married a feminist,” she says of husband of 25 years, Kris Thykier. And it’s something she’s instilled in her three children - two sons, Jake and Arthur, and daughter, Matilda. “I asked my son before I left tonight, ‘Would you describe yourself as a feminist?” and he said, “Hell yes!”, she’s previously revealed. “We’re on the road to equality but more needs to be done.” Amen to that.
If there’s one new year’s resolution to take into 2026, it’s to be more Claudia. Or rather, be more yourself.
