CLAUDIA: ‘I wanted a falcon on my shoulder’
Strictly’s Claudia Winkleman, 50, on hosting a new nail-biting reality competition set in a castle in the Scottish Highlands…
How does this work?
In essence, it’s a psychological reality show. Twenty-two people from all walks of life, and all ages, arrive at a beautiful castle – where they spend their days working as a team to complete missions, adding money to a prize pot worth up to £120k. But all is not as it seems, and they must decide who they can trust…
Tell us more?
Players I secretly select at the start of the game are hidden among the group as “Traitors” – and their role is to “murder” one of their fellow players every night and remain undetected. Everyone else is trying to work out who is betraying them. It messes with your head and it’s a gripping watch!
What made you say yes?
At first I said, ‘Thanks, but no thanks’ – because it was three weeks in Scotland, and I just never leave home. But then I pressed “play” on episode one of the Dutch version and I didn’t sleep or eat for two days. I watched the whole thing, and I was absolutely hooked. I said, “Please, please let me do this!”
This is unlike anything else you’ve done…
It’s wholly different because I don’t really present. I mean, that’s what they hired me for, but I was mainly just obsessed with the show. There were hidden cameras everywhere and the whole team and crew didn’t discuss anything else. Normally I’m nice. On this, I’m a bit crueller.
How did you choose the Traitors?
There was much discussion about it, and I interviewed them all in-depth at the beginning. It’s a really hard role because you’re essentially lying, so you’ve got to think about who is robust and strong enough – and when they’re found out, the room just explodes… Can you tell I’m dangerously into this show?!
The most gripping thing...?
Is when they all come and sit around the giant table and try to figure out who they should be banishing. Watching the players double and even triple bluff is pure drama. Would I be a good Traitor? I don’t think so, but I think the gameplay and scheming would be amazing.
Are you a good liar?
I think so, but the producers of Would I Lie To You? would disagree!
How was it being in Scotland for three weeks?
I’ve never been anywhere more beautiful than the Scottish Highlands in my life. It sometimes felt like we were in a painting, if that’s not too cheesy. There was baby deer, beautiful heather, ancient trees, and a loch. I FaceTimed my kids to say, “You’ve never seen anything like it – it’s magical!”
And tweed features heavily…
Well, I mean, this is my dream wardrobe! We went for a touch of Ronnie Corbett, a bit of Princess Anne – and Madonna when she was married to Guy Ritchie… The clothing was amazing, it’s what I’ve always wanted to wear. At one point I got so carried away that I suggested I could have a falcon on my shoulder.
Who would you want to see on a celebrity version?
Victoria Coren Mitchell,
Kirsty Young – and always Adam Woodyatt,
Stephen Fry and Alison Hammond...