Claudia Off Camera

Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr has offered a revealing glimpse into what Claudia Winkleman is like away from the spotlight, lifting the curtain on the famously controlled presence she brings to the BBC’s hit psychological game show.

Winkleman has fronted the UK edition of The Traitors for four years, including last year’s celebrity series won by Carr. She rose to national prominence as co-host of Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly, before further endearing herself to listeners during her Saturday programme on BBC Radio 2 from 2021 to 2024.

By contrast, The Traitors demands restraint and authority, and Carr says that seriousness is very real on set. Reflecting on his experience after taking the crown, he summed up his feelings succinctly: “I love Claudia,” a sentiment echoed by fellow guests when he appeared on the Table Manners podcast, hosted by Amanda Holden. According to Carr, Winkleman keeps her distance while filming to preserve the integrity of the game, though off-camera moments reveal flashes of her trademark warmth.

Carr’s path to victory saw him reach the finale alongside Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga, successfully misleading the faithfuls over three intense weeks in the Scottish Highlands. He later admitted that the pressure-cooker environment—cut off from phones, laptops and the outside world—made it difficult not to immediately debrief someone he trusted once filming ended, even with strict confidentiality agreements in place.

The format, originally devised by Dutch producer Stephen Lambert, has become one of the BBC’s most talked-about recent successes, with Winkleman’s authoritative performance widely credited as central to its UK appeal. Her ability to balance warmth with severity has distinguished the series from its international counterparts.

As the current civilian run of The Traitors heads towards its climax, seven players remain in contention for the prize fund. The next episode will determine who is murdered overnight and who faces banishment, setting the stage for a final reckoning. If a traitor survives to the end, they take the entire pot; if only faithfuls remain, the winnings are shared.

The Traitors airs tonight at 8pm on BBC One.