Claudia Winkleman was given an unusual request by a Strictly boss (Picture: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing bosses asked Claudia Winkleman to change something about her appearance before taking on the mammoth job.
The 51-year-old recalled being told that she’d got the job in 2014 by BBC Television Executive Danny Cohen.
The call began by exchanging pleasantries as Claudia happily accepted the role.
‘Danny Cohen gave me the job and phoned me up and said, “We’d love you to do it.” I said, “Thank you so much, that is such an honour”.’
While speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival Claudia then explained how the conversation went in an unexpected direction.
‘He added “I’m just going to need a phone number from you” and I was like, “Oh yeah, OK, which one?” and he said, “Your hairdresser’s”.
The BBC boss wanted Claudia to change her hair (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
‘I was like, “Bit weird, controller of BBC One”.’
Claudia found out just 48 hours later why he’d made the seemingly odd request.
‘Two days later, James, who does my hair, said, “This guy called Danny phoned up to complain about the length of your fringe”.
‘He [Danny] was like: “You can have this job but it’s just annoying, it’s down to your nose. You want to be on telly but you’re invisible”.’
The request didn’t seem to bother Claudia, who claimed that the programme is bigger than her.
‘I don’t say this in a faux self-deprecating way. It is a machine. A steam engine. I’m not even a cog,’ she explained.
Claudia and Tess present the Saturday night show (Picture: BBC)
Claudia, who picked up the Outstanding Achievement Award at the festival, also spoke about how she felt nervous ahead of taking on Strictly but didn’t think twice about being part of a female duo with Tess Daly.
‘I felt incredibly nervous at the time but the two women thing, the biggest show on television by miles at that point, ratings-wise, in recent history was Bake Off and that was hosted by two women.’
At the time, Great British Bake Off was hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
‘So I was, like, I’m not even pulling on that string,’ she concluded.
Strictly is back very soon! (Picture: Shutterstock/Getty/BBC)
Claudia and Tess, 54, will be back on our screens very soon with the 2023 series of Strictly.
The latest batch of celebrities are expected to cha-cha-cha onto the dance floor on September 23.
It’s no surprise then that the cast, which includes Bobby Brazier, Zara McDermott and Amanda Abbington, are already at work perfecting their moves.
If a month is too long to wait to discover who is partnered with whom then a popular theory may have the answers.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC later this year.
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Claudia was asked to change something about her appearance.
