Claudia Winkleman ‘speechless at ‘enormous honour’ of being made an MBE

TV presenter Claudia Winkleman has said she is “speechless” at the “enormous honour” of being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

The Traitors presenter, 53, was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours alongside her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly, for services to broadcasting.

Winkleman was officially made an MBE on Tuesday morning at an investiture ceremony with Charles at Windsor Castle.

She later shared a photograph with the King on Instagram, writing: “An incredible morning and an enormous honour. I’m speechless.”

Winkleman, who wore an ivory suit with a matching headband and black shirt to the ceremony, was joined by her mother, author and journalist Eve Pollard, her father, former publisher Barry Winkleman and husband Kris Thykier, a film producer.

Winkleman and Daly announced last month that they will be leaving the BBC dancing competition – which they have co-hosted since 2014 – with the Christmas special on December 25 their last appearance.

Winkleman, who began her career as a TV and radio presenter for a range of BBC shows including Comic Relief and The Great British Sewing Bee, is also known for fronting the highly popular BBC reality gameshow The Traitors.

It has become a ratings winner for the broadcaster, with its most recent celebrity spin-off finale watched by an average of 11.1 million, with a peak of 12 million viewers.

Winkleman won a Bafta for best entertainment performance for the show, which launched in the UK in 2022. The next series begins on New Year’s Day.

She also presented BBC Radio 2 shows until 2024, including the comedy quiz series Hot Gossip, the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show and Claudia On Sunday.