Claudia Winkleman has been a fixture of UK television for a long time. From her tenure in Strictly Come Dancing to her integral part in the success of The TraitorsBBC’s latest hit reality broadcast. Winkleman’s hosting of two hit shows seems to have made her a coveted host that attracted the attention of ITV as they seek to increase the number of female hosts in their prime time slots. The television giant now wants in on the Winkleman success and is willing to pay an astounding amount for it. ITV reportedly wants Claudia Winkleman to host their major Saturday night slot.
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Claudia Winkleman’s potential full-circle moment
While Winkleman has been closely associated with BBC for the past decade, her career started to pick up when she co-hosted ITV’s Talking Telephone Numbers alongside Philipp Scofield in 1997 and God’s Gift in 1998. Since then Winkleman has won numerous awards for hosting which include National Television Awards, Bafta and The Royal Television Society. Reports indicated that ITV could offer Claudia up to £500, 000 for a hosting gig on its Saturday night programming while the host continues with her other engagements. This comes after a noticeable uptick in male hosts on ITV’s popular programs. For example, the previous Saturday’s program included 8 shows hosted by 11 men. According to a source who spoke to The Sun:
ITV very much see Claudia as the presenter of the moment. She’s smart, fun, witty, hard-working and is so sharp she’s considered a safe pair of hands when it comes to live TV.
That means she could pretty much tackle any project bosses could throw at her, and it might offer her the next step up in her stellar career
ITV defends its roster
According to the Daily Mail, ITV stated, in response, that they have a ‘broad roster of female on-screen talent’. In the full statement, ITV breaks down the large female representation showcased on their Channel:
We have a broad roster of female on-screen talent across our entire daytime and primetime schedules, and a number of our biggest formats, including Love Island, Big Brother, The Voice UK, Dancing on Ice, My Mum Your Dad and Soccer Aid are hosted or co-hosted by female presenters.
Additionally, big weekend shows such as The Masked Singer, Britain’s Got Talent, The Voice UK and Dancing on Ice feature female talent in prominent on-screen judging roles.
In the last year, we have broadcast shows including An Audience with Kylie Minogue, Mamma Mia I Have A Dream hosted by Zoe Ball and featuring three females on the judging panel, as well as the Olivier Awards and British Soap Awards which were both hosted by female presenters.
Despite the opaque nature of the situation, it is clear that Claudia Winkleman has solidified her place among British Television royalty through her consistent performances. Reports indicate that she is indeed exploring other avenues as she was seen guest hosting on some shows, it is clear that she has become a coveted addition for any Television show that is looking for a strong female lead.
Read more:
⋙ Strictly Come Dancing bosses had a 'major concern' before casting Claudia Winkleman
⋙ Love Island's Maya Jama is a fan-favourite host, but here's who presented the show before her
⋙ Another Strictly romance? Rumours Bobby Brazier and Ellie Leach dating here’s what we know
Sources:
The Sun: ITV plot six-figure deal to poach Traitors & Strictly star Claudia Winkleman from BBC to front major Saturday night show
Daily Mail: ITV deny they are plotting to poach Claudia Winkleman from the BBC with six-figure deal after The Traitors and Strictly success
