Claudia Winkleman admits her impostor syndrome makes her better at presenting Strictly Come Dancing 

‘I don’t feel famous on any level’: Claudia Winkleman admits her ‘rampant’ impostor syndrome makes her better at presenting Strictly Come Dancing

Claudia Winkleman has revealed that her ‘rampant’ impostor syndrome makes her better at presenting Strictly Come Dancing.

The TV presenter, 48, who replaced Bruce Forsyth on the hit BBC show in 2014, suggested that the condition fills her with so much doubt she doesn’t believe she landed the job.

However, Claudia, who co-hosts the show with Tess Daly, said her impostor syndrome drives her on to work harder and be better at her job.

Honest: Claudia Winkleman has revealed that her ‘rampant’ impostor syndrome makes her better at presenting Strictly Come Dancing

The broadcaster was asked by Chris Evans on his How to Wow podcast how her impostor syndrome is.

She said: ‘[It’s] rampant… raging. I’m thanking my parents for the elaborate ways they have made me feel successful.

‘I think Strictly is just a lovely home video they’ve created for me so I don’t think it’s all been a disaster.’

Despite presenting one of the biggest shows on TV, Claudia downplayed her success, claiming ‘I don’t feel famous on any level’.

Confidence: Claudia suggested that the condition fills her with so much doubt she doesn't believe she landed the job (pictured with co-host Tess Daly)

Confidence: Claudia suggested that the condition fills her with so much doubt she doesn’t believe she landed the job (pictured with co-host Tess Daly)

She added: ‘If you think about what I actually do or when I appear, it’s just 10 weekends in autumn, that’s it.’

However, Claudia insisted that impostor syndrome improves her work, saying: ‘I think impostor syndrome is quite important.

‘There are lots of things we’re told that are really bad, like guilt, but guilt is quite important as if you feel guilty about something it’s probably true.

‘And I think we should also feel impostor syndrome a bit. We’ve met people who go “I’m born for this” and they are tools.

Thankful: Speaking of her impostor syndrome, Claudia said: '[It's] rampant... raging. I'm thanking my parents for the elaborate ways they have made me feel successful'

Thankful: Speaking of her impostor syndrome, Claudia said: ‘[It’s] rampant… raging. I’m thanking my parents for the elaborate ways they have made me feel successful’

‘Not if it’s crippling, and not if it’s about anxiety or anybody is really struggling at work.. but I think feeling that you’re going to get caught out just slightly makes you work harder, makes you grateful, and makes you better at your job.

‘I think that’s a much more natural and better way to be.’

Speaking previously about her thoughts on impostor syndrome, Claudia admitted that she feels it ‘keeps you on your toes’.

She added: 'If you think about what I actually do or when I appear, it's just 10 weekends in autumn, that's it' (pictured with husband Kris Thykier in 2019)

She added: ‘If you think about what I actually do or when I appear, it’s just 10 weekends in autumn, that’s it’ (pictured with husband Kris Thykier in 2019) 

She told the Daily Mail: ‘I’m waiting for somebody to tap me on the shoulder and go, “Oh, sorry, we’ve got this all wrong, you are not allowed to go in again, we’ve got Rylan [Clark] instead”, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. 

‘Impostor syndrome is incredibly useful. We’ve both met people who are like, “I was born to do this, get out of my way.” I don’t want to be that person. 

‘Feeling – don’t throw up – grateful and slightly surprised I think is a good thing. It keeps you on your toes.’ 

Humble: Despite presenting one of the biggest shows on TV, Claudia downplayed her success, claiming 'I don't feel famous on any level'

Humble: Despite presenting one of the biggest shows on TV, Claudia downplayed her success, claiming ‘I don’t feel famous on any level’