Claudia Winkleman's husband, close bond with kids and horror Halloween accident (2024)

Strictly Come Dancing host, Claudia Winkleman, is married to film producer, Kris Thykier, with whom she shares kids, Jake, 21, Matilda, 18, and Arthur, 13

Claudia Winkleman and her husband, Kris Thykier, have been married for 22 years, and appear to have one of the strongest marriages in showbiz.

The London-based couple, who share three kids, tied the knot in 2020 before going onto welcome sons, Jake and Arthur, and daughter Matilda into the world.

Claudia tends to keep her private life out of the spotlight. However, when she does open up, she speaks candidly, including the moment she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Kris.

The daughter of journalist, Eve Pollard, prides her lasting relationship on the couple's ability to laugh at one another. However, in 2014, the proud parents were devastated when their daughter, Matilda, suffered burns to her body when her Halloween costume caught fire.

Now, closer than ever to her family since the "life-changing" accident, Claudia has spoken about the close bond they share, including the moment she knew that Kris was "the one" for her.

Head over heels in love with 'super polite' husband

Lifting the lid on her romance with Kris, Claudia told OK! Magazine that she fell completely head over heels with the Kick Ass star thanks to his kind nature and impeccable manners.

"What did it for me was how he behaved in restaurants, bars and planes – indeed, simply around people. 'Thanks so much', 'no rush', 'I'll carry it over for you', 'here, have a drink on us'," she said.

Gushing about his "magic characteristic", she continued: "Having been a waitress every school holiday from the age of 16, it was just that magic characteristic that tipped me over." Claudia also said that Kris will always asks the cab driver how his day is going, and that he'll never take up a seat on the London Underground.

Wild sex life

Opening up about their wild sex life when they first started seeing one another, Claudia insisted that Kris made her 'head shoot off her shoulders' whenever they took their clothes off. The host, famed for her fringe, perma tan and wickedly thick black eye liner, also fell under Kris' spell due to his intelligence and how he spoke so passionately about history, politics and social issues.

Claudia described Kris' rather serious choice of topical talking issues as ‘her kind of foreplay’. The star also opened up about the importance of prioritising her partner in her busy showbiz lifestyle. Talking to Red Magazine, she explained: "Working too hard puts a strain on – but we're still working hard now."

She declared to The Sun: "I think we put way too much pressure on ourselves. I haven’t had sex with my husband for two days, let's do it on the stairs." Claudia went on to explain that her love life will likely get another boost once her eldest son, Jake, moves out of the family home. The Strictly star said: "I'm sure it will be great. Me and husband will learn how to make stew and we’ll read lots of books and we’ll do tickling – that’s code in case anyone is wondering."

Close bond with kids after horror Halloween accident

Claudia and her family suffered a terrifying ordeal during her family's Halloween celebrations in 2014. Her daughter Matilda, now 18 was eight years old when the witch costume she was wearing went up in flames after she brushed against a candle.

Speaking to Best magazine, Claudia recalled the moment: "She 'went up' is the only way I can describe it – it was a spark and she screamed out for me. It was like those horrific birthday candles that you blow out and they come back. It was really fast. It was definitely life-changing for me."

She added: "I was talking to someone and then I heard her shout and she was on fire. It feels like she was on fire for hours, but the surgeon said it was probably just seconds."

The eight-year-old spent three weeks in hospital having suffered serious burns to her legs. Claudia continued: "It's life-changing but not life defining. It was definitely life-changing for me. I can't remember life before it."

In 2023, the presenter announced she was stepping back from her Radio 2 show to spend more time with her kids. "Here's the thing and it is such a boring cliché so I apologise. Time is going too fast. My daughter is getting ready to leave home and she was three about five minutes ago," she confessed. "I still have a little one who wants to be with me. I don't know how long that will last and I just need to be at home more."

Claudia also made a touching tribute to her children when she joined Instagram in 2014, sharing a sweet photo of Matilda and Arthur's backs. "My first photo," she captioned the post. The seasoned star posted a photo of her son Jake in 2019 as he was gazing out at a spectacular sunset with the caption: "16-year-old said he'd only come away with me if it was 'unusual'. We are in love with you Iceland."

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