Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman has never been one to shy away from an unconventional confession and her latest reveal might just be her most unexpected yet. In a candid moment on the Off Menu podcast, the beloved British presenter shared a rather cheeky marital insight that left fans simultaneously amused and bewildered.
Water? That’s a Hard No
While chatting with comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster, Claudia opened up about her strong (and very dry) aversion to water. “I don’t like or believe in water, I won’t have it,” she said with a laugh, describing how even a simple glass offered at dinner gets a firm rejection: “It’s a solid no from me.”
This quirky dislike goes well beyond dietary preferences it extends into her personal life with husband and film producer Kris Thykier. And according to Claudia, there’s one surefire way to ruin the mood in their household.
A Glass Too Far
Claudia explained that Kris’s habit of downing water by the pint can be a total romance killer. “My husband drinks great amounts of water and I really like him, but it’s problematic. He’s glugging. Don’t touch me. ‘Claud, take your bra off.’ I don’t think so you should be ashamed of yourself.”
She painted the scene with hilarious clarity: “Imagine you’re on a date I’ve been with the same man for 100 years. He’s sitting there like, ‘Maybe we should have the same thing.’ And someone comes round and says: ‘Would you like some water?’ And he goes, ‘Yeah, sure.’” That’s apparently the final straw.
Her description of Kris’s “wet mouth with a big fleshy tongue that is covered in liquid” had listeners roaring and undoubtedly made more than a few people re-evaluate their hydration habits.
“Give Me Mr Burns Any Day”
Claudia took it a step further, saying her dream man wouldn’t be found in a bottle of Evian. In fact, she declared, “I want a dry shrivelled up little man. I want to sleep with Mr Burns he doesn’t drink water. I want him at the table.”
It might sound outlandish, but in typical Claudia fashion, her comedic delivery made it a charming (if slightly bizarre) moment that only she could pull off. The presenter also admitted she’s not a fan of liquids in general no wine, no cocktails, not even a cordial.
Behind the Wit, a Loving Partnership
Despite the jokes and playful jabs, Claudia and Kris have been happily married since 2000 and share three children: Jake, Matilda, and Arthur. Her humour often serves as a warm window into a grounded and long-lasting relationship something that’s increasingly rare in showbiz.
As fans know, Strictly Come Dancing isn’t Claudia’s only claim to fame. She also fronts hit shows like The Piano and The Traitors, the latter of which is gearing up for a celebrity edition featuring big names like Bob Mortimer, Alan Carr, and Charlotte Church.
A Refreshingly Unfiltered National Treasure
Whether she’s judging reality contestants or sharing her aversion to H2O, Claudia Winkleman brings a rare blend of wit, relatability, and bold honesty to everything she does. Her latest admission may not earn her a hydration sponsorship anytime soon but it certainly reminds us why she’s such a beloved figure on British TV.
And as for Kris? He might just consider switching to tea. Or at the very least, sipping water quietly out of Claudia’s sight.
