When King Charles gave Claudia Winkleman her MBE on Tuesday, he looked more delighted than she did. And rightly so. It’s basically blasphemy at this point not to want to be her best friend.
The National Treasure of National Treasures’ rise to royal appointment, and superstardom, is all the more pleasing because, on paper, it’s so unlikely. She is an anomaly among TV presenters, and not only because reading the Autocue must be a challenge when you have a fringe that long.
In the often soulless, bland world where she now reigns supreme, everything about Claudia seems like exactly what an industry expert might warn wannabes against. Skin purposely, defiantly, dyed an unnatural, Trumpian orange. Makeup that intentionally looks as if it was applied by an intoxicated kitten. A Cambridge education that could easily be seen as intimidating and unrelatable to the everyperson, and therefore render her unsuitable for prime time. And yet, somehow it works. Two and two add up to a magical five. All the wrong ingredients have created a delicious treat, regardless. She can barely see, but she’s a breath of fresh hair.
Claudia’s unique appeal means it’s always a genuine pleasure to see her on screen; whether she’s being stern and menacing in The Traitors or the enthusiastic, excited little sister on Strictly Come Dancing, you buy it. She manages to be affable and warm without coming across as fake or patronising, which is quite a skill. The way she makes it look so effortless is another.
Maybe it’s because we’re at the end of a long, difficult year. And because the photos of her beaming, bemused face at Windsor Castle were so endearing. But in our increasingly angry, polemical society, being united and agreeing for once – even if it is just that we’re happy for a TV presenter who is good at her job and seems like a decent human being – feels like something to be grateful for. Wow, that really is a depressingly low bar, isn’t it?
• Polly Hudson is a freelance writer
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