'They Don't Tell Me Anything!'

Why show bosses keep host Claudia strictly in the dark

- Marc Baker

Hurrah! Our favourite time of the year has arrived – the launch of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. After announcing all 15 celebrities, this weekend we will discover who they’ll be paired with. But there’s one person who still hasn’t a clue. Host Claudia Winkleman, 45, who works alongside Tess Daly, 48, tells us why the show bosses keep her in the dark as much as us…

Strictly is back! Did you know the line-up in advance?

I never know anything because when they tell me a secret, or the contestants’ names before the press, I always tell everybody!

So you spill the beans?

When I did It Takes Two, they were like, ‘Claudia, we are going to tell you the names, it is quite serious. Don’t tell anyone.’ I said, ‘Of course. I am so good at secrets. You can rely on me.’ I got in the lift with this cool young guy, and he said, ‘Are you doing the Strictly sister show? Do you know who is dancing?’ And I told him the whole list. He went to the producers and said, ‘She is really leaky.’ On so many levels... Also, they won’t tell me the winner until Tess has said the name! She is told because she is grown up and brilliant and is a professional. If you ever see the shot when Tess says the name, I am like this [open-mouthed]. So don’t tell me anything. Ever.

Do you still love working as much as you always have?