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Claudia Winkleman’s theatrical flair and dry commentary has made her an important part of The Traitors since it launched in 2023, with the latest series set to conclude tonight

A man who was at university at the same time as Claudia Winkleman says one thing she tells people “isn’t true”. The Traitors presenter studied art history at the University of Cambridge.

During her time as a student Claudia says she would sleep on the floor after renting a sunbed for £40-a-month. She joked she “curled up like a mushroom” in order to fit the piece of kit into her student digs.

Former BBC 3 controller Stuart Murphy explains that Claudia’s reputation would precede her at Cambridge. Although he dismissed any notion that she wasn’t a “big noise” around the campus.

Speaking in the documentary, Claudia Winkleman: Behind the Fringe, he said: “I was at university the same time as Claudia and people knew of her. She was eccentric, funny, super smart.

“She was one of those people who would turn up to a party and everyone would know she was there because she held court, and then she would leave early. I think a lot of people were really intrigued by Claudia.

“I think her version of events is that she wasn’t a big noise around campus, that is simply not the case.”

Elsewhere Jake Brown, who netted the £94,600 jackpot on The Traitors with co-winner Leanne Quigley recently revealed he was “taken aback” with Claudia’s off-screen behavior.

Speaking to The Sun’s TV Mag, he said: “I was taken aback by how normal she is. Claudia’s one of those celebrities who’s even better than she appears on TV.”

His fellow winner Leanne remarked: “Claudia’s the perfect host. She has a big heart and I think she wanted to check in on us, but she had to keep the persona.”

Claudia, 54, has become a popular face on The Traitors since its launch in 2022. Viewers have been left enamored with her theatrical flair and dry commentary.

Former Traitor Paul Gorton, whose dramatic departure paved the way for Harry Clark to win the series in 2024, also praised Claudia. Speaking to Heat, he said: “She’s a full-on stand-up comedian.”

He added: “Like, she is the funniest, driest person and an extraordinary woman. I’m so glad that she is getting her own chat show off the back of it – I still think there’s so much more that people haven’t seen from her.”

Paul, 37, believes Claudia showed her true colours during an encounter at the Royal Albert Hall last year. He recalled: “Claudia came over and said, ‘How are your kids? I love them,’ and you think, ‘Oh you’re invested in me. You’re not just a host and then you disappear.”

Despite The Traitors now attracting millions of viewers per episode, Claudia confesses she never anticipated such tremendous success. Speaking to Grazia magazine, she reflected: “We didn’t foresee this.

“We went to Scotland with the amazing people who make it and a pair of red fingerless gloves and gave it our best shot. I think people like it because the psychology is extraordinary – just watching people work out whether they’re being lied to. The dynamics feel addictive. I’m completely obsessed.”

The Traitors returns at 8.30pm on BBC One tonight (January 23).