In a surprising revelation, it has emerged that the beloved host of the BBC's hit reality show The Traitors, Claudia Winkleman, was not the original choice for the role.
The Original Choice: Alan Cumming
The BBC initially offered the prestigious hosting job to Alan Cumming, the popular Scottish actor. This was confirmed by the BBC's Chief Content Officer, Kate Phillips, on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast. However, a scheduling conflict arose. America was filming its version of the show first, and Cumming had another job commitment, making it impossible for him to align with the BBC's production dates. Consequently, he went on to host the successful US version of the series.
How Claudia Winkleman Got The Role
With Alan Cumming unavailable, the production company Studio Lambert presented a list of potential hosts. Kate Phillips immediately thought of Claudia Winkleman, having previously worked with her on Strictly Come Dancing. Phillips highlighted that Winkleman's brilliance on Strictly stems from her genuine interest in people and contestants, which made her a perfect fit for the psychologically intense format of The Traitors.
When first approached, Winkleman was uncertain, particularly about the prospect of filming in the countryside. To help her decide, the BBC arranged for her to watch the original Dutch version of the show. She watched that and she was in straight away, Phillips revealed, cementing her now-iconic role.
The Unmet Doppelgangers
In a curious twist, Alan Cumming disclosed earlier this year that he and Claudia Winkleman have never actually met. Speaking at the BAFTA Television Awards, which he hosted, Cumming joked about their uncanny connection, suggesting they might be the same person. "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!" he quipped. He noted that they have mutual friends and nearly met years ago, but the awards ceremony might finally bring them together.
Despite her current success, Winkleman has admitted to being incredibly nervous while filming the show, especially during the tense Round Table sessions. "At times, I couldn't turn around because my heart was beating so loudly," she confessed. She even suggested that viewers could gauge her nervousness by the amount of white lipstick and fake tan she wore.
