Claudia Winkleman's Husband 'Relieved' as She Steps Away from Strictly Come Dancing
Claudia Winkleman's husband, film producer Kris Thykier, is reportedly 'relieved' that the television presenter has 'broken free' from her long-running role on Strictly Come Dancing. According to insider sources, Thykier has played a vital supportive role as Winkleman prepares for what is described as her biggest professional year yet, following her departure from the BBC dance competition in December.
A Rare Joint Appearance and a Supportive Partnership
The couple, who married in 2000, recently made a rare public appearance together in London to promote Thykier's new film, 'Is This Thing On?'. Sources indicate that Thykier, 54, is deeply involved in Winkleman's career decisions, leveraging his own experience in the film and television industry, which includes work on projects like 'MobLand' and 'Operation Mincemeat'.
'Claudia has worked incredibly hard and Kris is very proud of her, but he's relieved she's broken free from Strictly,' a source revealed. 'He's always felt she was worth a lot more... He wants her to be the best of the best and knows she's got the world at her feet.'
Balancing a High-Profile Career with Family Privacy
Winkleman and Thykier, parents to three children—Jake, 20, Matilda, 17, and Arthur, 12—have intentionally maintained a private family life. Winkleman has previously credited their successful marriage to mutual respect and shared responsibilities, notably mentioning their collaborative approach to daily tasks like dinner.
'Kris is very Scandinavian,' Winkleman once said. '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?"... It's just about being nice to each other.' She also acknowledged that while they 'fundamentally disagree' on certain matters, they have consistently made their relationship work.
Strategic Career Moves and New Ventures
With a background steeped in media—her mother is former Sunday Express editor Eve Pollard and her father is retired publisher Barry Winkleman—Claudia is described as being strategically savvy about her public image. 'Claudia knows how the showbiz world works so she's been extremely clever by keeping her relationship private and not doing things that might cheapen her brand,' the source explained. 'Unlike a lot of celebs, she'll only go to things she really believes in because she knows her worth.'
Her upcoming projects underscore this selective approach:
- Hosting a new self-titled Friday-night chat show on the BBC, set to air in the spring, where she will interview major figures from entertainment.
- Returning to film the fifth series of the hit BBC show 'The Traitors', along with its anticipated celebrity spin-off's second series.
Winkleman expressed her enthusiasm for the chat show, stating, 'I can't quite believe it and I'm incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity. I'm obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I'm over the moon they're letting me try.'
Prioritising Family After the Strictly 'Whirlwind'
Stepping away from Strictly Come Dancing, which Winkleman has described as a 'whirlwind' that consumed significant time, allows her to focus more on family. She had previously contacted Strictly bosses 'in tears' over concerns the show might conflict with her son starting university.
'Strictly was such a whirlwind and took up so much of her time, so even though she has a lot on this year, she's looking forward to spending more quality time together as a family,' the source added. 'She's in a position where she can pick and choose what she wants to do, while putting her family first.'
As Claudia Winkleman embarks on this new chapter, the support from her husband Kris Thykier and her deliberate career choices highlight a balanced approach to navigating fame, family, and future opportunities in the competitive world of television.
