‘My kids are MORTIFIED BY ME!'

Strictly and Best Home Cook presenter Claudia Winkleman on why she can’t watch herself on TV

- VICKI POWER

Claudia Winkleman has a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humour that makes her instantly likeable when you meet her.

In person, the Strictly presenter is exactly like she is on TV – amusing, vivacious and eager to put others at ease. But she confesses she never watches her shows, so doesn’t view Strictly or Best Home Cook.

‘I’ve never watched myself and I can’t imagine how irritating I am,’ confesses the 47-year-old presenter and mum of three, who’s been married since 2000 to film producer Kris Thykier.

She continues with the joke. ‘I don’t even believe Best Home Cook goes out on telly. It’s just something my parents have created to make me feel good about myself, so I’m delighted Barry and Eve got you here today so that I don’t feel like my life has been wasted.’

Claudia says her kids, Jake, 16, Matilda, 13, and Arthur, eight, aren’t interested in her showbiz career either.

‘The oldest one is mortified, just mortified,’ says Claudia. ‘He’s like, “You’ve got to stop doing it, Mum.” They’re not interested in my TV shows, they don’t watch.’

And Claudia insists she’s just like us. ‘I ride the Tube four times a day and nobody notices me – even when I start humming the Strictly theme tune!’