Meet Kris Thykier: The Man Behind Claudia Winkleman

CLAUDIA Winkleman is one of the UK’s most familiar TV faces, but tends to keep her personal life private, including her husband Kris Thykier.

Along with Tess Daly, Claudia broke the shock news she’s after 12 terrific years presenting the sensational show.

Claudia Winkleman and Kris Thkier have been together for years

Strictly co-hosts and decided to quit the much-loved celeb dance-off at the end of the 2025 series, breaking the news in a joint video released on Thursday, October 23, 2025.

Claudia shared a series of sweet snaps from her time on the show on social media, including behind-the-scenes snaps with Tess, Bruce Forsyth and , along with an emotional statement.

She wrote: “It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career.

“From working on in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.

“I will never forget trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.

“Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it. The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing.”

She added: “I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights.

“As for Tess – I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.”

Who is Kris Thykier?

Kris Thykier is a film and TV producer who was born on January 13, 1972, in

He has worked in the entertainment industry on films including Stardust (2007), The Debt (2010), Kick-Ass (2010), and I Give It A Year (2013).

He worked as executive producer on Bradley Cooper film Burnt in 2015, and Your Christmas or Mine? in 2022.

Kris was also the executive producer on the hit TV show Riviera, which ran from 2017-2020.

He has received two nominations, one in 2018 for Best Mini Series for The State, and the other in the Best Film Not in the English Language category, for Trash in 2015.

How long have Kris Thykier and Claudia Winkleman been married?

It is not known how long and Kris have been together, but they did marry at Marylebone Town Hall in June 2000.

The secret wedding ceremony was attended just by their closest family and friends.

While Claudia, who joined the family in 2014, keeps much of her marriage private, she did open up after her family survived the third .

She quipped that she often questions “why or how” she and Kris are still together, as she isn’t the most domesticated partner.

She told The Sun of her Scandinavian hubby: “Kris is very Danish in his ways.

“So, it’s not up to me to make dinner, it’s not up to me to make lunch and it’s not up to him to take the kids outside to play catch.”

She added: “In 20 years of marriage he has not once asked me what’s for dinner.

“I married a feminist, my mother wouldn’t have let me not.”

Do they have any children?

The couple have three children and live in Connaught Square in London.

Their children are Jake (born 2003), Matilda (born 2006), and Arthur (born 2011).

In October 2014, Claudia’s daughter after she was seriously injured and taken to hospital when her Halloween costume caught fire.

stated that her daughter, who was eight at the time, had brushed against a candle which had lead to her costume catching alight.

After the incident, the government subsequently tightened the regulations around costume standards.