Claudia Winkleman’s connection to royal family and what is next for Channel 4’s The Piano presenter?

Claudia Winkleman may be known for her famous block fringe, being the face of Head and Shoulders and co-hosting Strictly Come Dancing, however over the last year the television presenter has added several popular shows to her roster.

As well as fronting BBC’s ‘The Traitors’ competition, Claudia appeared on screens on 15 February with a brand new show called The Piano on Channel 4, in which Claudia alongside judges singer Mika and world-renowned pianist Lang Lang try to find the UK’s best amateur musicians.

The winner will get a chance to play at the Royal Albert Hall, and even though the show has just aired, Claudia and the programme have received stellar reviews.

As Claudia gears up to take ‘the piano’ across the UK for the next five weeks, PeopleWorld takes a look at the presenter’s family and what else Claudia is gearing up for:

Eve Pollard

Claudia Winkleman has journalism in her blood as her mother Evelyn, Lady Lloyd, (nee Pollard and formerly Winkleman) is an English author and journalist who has served as editor for several newspapers.

Eve headed up the likes of Honey magazine, Elle magazine in the US, News of the World’s Sunday edition and Mail on Sunday’s You magazine, as well as working as fashion editor in television for TV-am.

Throughout Eve’s career that started in the late 1960s, the former magazine editor has worked to advance female representation in the world of journalism evident by creating a group called Women in Journalism in 1992 where she advised others on campaigning, networking and training, in addition to being the vice-chairman of charity Wellbeing of Women.

Eve has received several accolades including an OBE in 2008 for her services to journalism and the prestigious Journalist Laureate prize for being an ‘inspirational editor and broadcaster.’

Barry Winkleman

Claudia’s parents Eve Pollard and Barry Winkleman were together from 1968 until 1975, and separated when The Piano host was three years old.

Much like his ex-wife, Barry established his career in the world of publishing as he is the former publisher of Times Atlas of World History, but found fame in the public eye as the father to Claudia and Sophie Winkleman.

Now, Barry is married to children’s novelist Cindy Winkleman, who tied the knot in 1979 in Camden, London, before welcoming Barry’s second daughter (Sophie) in 1980.

Sophie Winkleman, Lady Frederick Windsor

Although Sophie Winkleman is mostly known as Lady Frederick Windsor as a result of marrying into the royal family with the son of Prince Michael of Kent, Sophie is also a well-known actress.

Sophie, who is the half-sister of Claudia through their father, studied English Literature at Trinity Hall, Cambridge before performing in the three-month British tour of the comedy revue Far Too Happy.

In 1997, Sophie joined the National Youth Theatre in which she acted and also sang soprano, before finding prominence in her roles in Peep Show, Two and a Half Men and Disney’s Narnia.

Despite her royal connection after marrying Lord Frederick in 2009, Sophie has continued to act and has even appeared in dated dramas such as Sanditon and is reportedly lining up to feature in Belgravia.

Kris Thykier

A common theme surrounding Claudia Winkleman’s family is they are all part of the entertainment industry, and Claudia’s husband is not exempt from that either.

Kris Thykier is a producer whose notable credits include Operation Mincemeat (2021), Kick-Ass (2010) and Riviera (2017), and he has received several nominations for his work with a BAFTA nod to his name.

More recently, Kris has been working on Netflix shows such as Fate: The Winx Saga for his production company Archery Pictures, which he established in 2014.

Kris and Claudia have been married since the millennium and the pair share three children - two sons and a daughter.

What’s next for Claudia?

As Claudia’s career continues on an upward trajectory with her latest shows The Piano and The Traitor receiving stellar reviews, people will be keeping an eye out for what her next project is.

Over the past couple of days, season two of The Traitors has been confirmed with Claudia at the helm, so viewers can expect to see the star on screens again soon from Ardross Castle in Scotland.

Season one of The Traitors is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.