Claudia Winkleman missed last Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing because her daughter Matilda, eight, had suffered burns the previous night when her Halloween costume caught fire, the presenter has disclosed .
Zoë Ball stepped in to replace Winkleman, who co-hosts the high-rating show, with the BBC initially saying her absence was due to one of her children being unwell.
On Tuesday a statement issued on behalf of Winkleman’s family said Matilda was involved in an accident on Friday night while celebrating Halloween.
It read: “She is having the best care possible and we are hopeful of a full recovery. We would like to thank everyone who has been so supportive and particularly the NHS doctors, nurses and staff who have been absolutely incredible.
“And we would like to take this opportunity to remind anyone taking part in fireworks parties or Guy Fawkes celebrations to be vigilant about the dangers of candles, open fires and fireworks and to please have the appropriate safety measures in place and to hand.”
The London Ambulance Service said it took a child to hospital after being called to an address on Connaught Square in west London just after 5.30pm on Friday.
An ambulance crew, single responder by car and an advanced paramedic were sent to the scene. “We treated a child and took her to hospital as a priority,” a spokesperson said.
This is Winkleman’s first year presenting Strictly with Tess Daly after Sir Bruce Forsyth retired last year.
The BBC said that Ball would fill in for Winkleman once more on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. “All our thoughts and very best wishes are with Claudia and her family at this time,” a spokesman said.
The London Fire Brigade reiterated Winkleman’s warning about the dangers of candles, open fires and fireworks.
Last year, there were 82 fire-related injuries between Halloween and Bonfire Night – more than a third higher than the number of injuries recorded in 2012.
London Fire Brigade deputy commissioner Rita Dexter said she wished Matilda a speedy recovery after her ordeal.
“It’s a shocking but timely reminder that open flames can be lethal if you don’t keep an eye on them or they are left unattended. Make sure candles are placed well away from flammable items and clothing, otherwise the results can be catastrophic,” she said.
Winkleman, 42, also has two sons, Jake, 11, and Arthur, three, with her film producer husband Kris Thykier. The former right-hand-man of PR man Matthew Freud helped to market films including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which was produced by Matthew Vaughn, with whom Thykier later went into partnership. Thykier’s production credits include 2010’s Kick-Ass and Stardust in 2007.
Winkleman’s presenting career began on Kelvin Mackenzie’s LiveTV! and she went on to serve an eclectic apprenticeship that included showbiz reporting for This Morning on ITV before taking over from Jonathan Ross on Film 2010. She continues to present the BBC1 film programme with Danny Leigh as well as her Strictly duties.
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