Claudia Winkleman has admitted she “cannot believe” her luck so far as a presenter, and fears it could come to an end at any point.
The 52-year-old admitted that the pressures of freelancing sparks a constant worry and has therefore looked into other paths.
In a candid admission, she shared: “I always panic because [I’m] freelance. I read out loud on telly and somebody suddenly might turn around and go, ‘We are done with her’.
“And, that’s OK, they can, and I give them full permission and I get it, I’d be like, ‘byesy bye, night night, thank you, I’ve had a lovely run’.”
Along the way in her broadcasting career, Claudia has written several columns and a book, and has also considered taking up embroidery and a Masters degree.
For the time being however, her TV line-up remains robust, fronting shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Traitors, and The Piano.
Claudia Winkleman fears her career could be over at any point
Reflecting on the success of The Traitors, Claudia recalled a chat she had with her husband Kris Thykier when she filmed the first season.
She recounted: “[I said] I’m obsessed by it, but I am wearing red fingerless gloves, a cape and I’m talking about people being murdered.
“And, I think it might be over. I imagine it’s over, like I’ve had a good run and then people started liking it.”
She was particularly thrilled with feedback from some of her personal “heroes” such as Kathy Burke and Russell T Davies, who praised the show on social media.
Despite the show’s success, Claudia confessed she initially advised against a second season.
Speaking to Gabby Logan on The Mid.Point podcast, she revealed: “I said to Kate, I said to our bosses, I was like, ‘we’ve done it once and it did well, but I don’t think we should do it again’, to which they just leaned over and took my temperature [and said] ‘we’re doing it again’.”
The programme has since claimed multiple gongs, including two National Television Awards for Most Popular Reality Competition.
Reflecting on the upcoming series, Claudia added: “I don’t know if this one will do well, series three, I don’t know,” adding regarding its success: “We don’t want to take it for granted.”
The Traitors airs tonight at 8pm on BBC One.