Claudia Winkleman wasn't first choice to host The Traitors.
Claudia Winkleman wasn't first choice to host Traitors
The 53-year-old presenter is a hit with viewers on the reality show but the BBC had initially offered the job to Alan Cumming, who had signed up to helm a US version of the series, but he was ultimately unable to make it work with his schedule.
The BBC's Chief Content Officer, Kate Phillips, told The Rest Is Entertainment podcast: "I thought Alan is known here and he's a popular Scottish actor so we did actually ask Alan if he would do it, but he couldn't do it with our dates because America were filming first and he had another job so he couldn't do it.
"So then we were thinking who else? Studio Lambert had a good list of names and I just thought Claudia because I'd worked with her on Strictly.
"And the thing about Claudia on Strictly is that she's brilliant on that show but she's brilliant because she's interested in people. More than the dancing, she's about the people and the contestants and what's happening."
Kate called Claudia, who was initially unsure about going to film in the countryside but arranged to have a copy of the Dutch version of The Traitors sent to her to see what she thought.
The executive added: "She watched that and she was in straight away."
Alan revealed earlier this year he and Claudia have never met.
Speaking at the BAFTA Television Awards - which he hosted - Alan said: “I’ve never met Claudia - isn’t it nuts?
“I actually feel like we might be the same person because you’ve never seen us in the same room.
“Maybe they just drug one of us and put make-up on us - maybe they put lots of fake tan on me, and a big wig, and I’m actually Claudia!
“We have mutual friends, and nearly met years ago, but it’s hilarious the awards will be what brings us together.”
Claudia most recently helmed the first series of Celebrity Traitors and she previously revealed she was nervous about the show.
She said: "At times, I couldn't turn around because my heart was beating so loudly.
"When you're at the Round Table, it's incredibly tense.
"The minute you walk into that room, the mood automatically changes.
"You can tell how nervous I am on this series by how much white lipstick I'm wearing and how orange I am!"
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