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Claudia Winkleman has revealed an extremely niche fear, related to a longstanding phobia.
The Strictly Come Dancing co-host, 52, made the confession during an appearance on Friday’s edition of The One Show, where she was plugging series two of her ‘anti-talent’ talent show The Piano alongside singer Mika.
Also on the sofa were retired marathon runner Paula Radcliffe and naturalist and presenter Steve Backshall.
After a segment on his show Our Changing Planet, talk turned to his popular CBBC show Deadly 60, with Claudia revealing her kids were fans.
In honour of Jake, 20, Matilda, 17, and 12-year-old Arthur – who she shares with husband of 24 years, producer Kris Thykier – Claudia then explained her phobia and its bizarre consequence.
‘So I’ve had arachnophobia forever,’ she began, referring to a fear of spiders that is common among many people.
Presenter Claudia Winkleman revealed her major fear of spiders (Picture: BBC)
Somewhat unexpectedly though, it’s grown into her having an issue with tomatoes (Picture: BBC)
However, he distaste for the creatures had progressed to the next level as she shared she’d even been put off a common food item due to a perceived likeness
‘I can’t have a tomato because there’s the tomato top,’ she shared, gesturing to show she meant the fruit’s stalk and the green fronds known as a calyx.
But the TV star was also excited to tell Steve the progress she has recently made.
‘I went to London Zoo and Dave and John did this,’ she began as the screen revealed a photo of her calmly holding a large tarantula in her hands.
The TV star referenced ‘the top’, with the fronds being known as the clayx, which somewhat resemble spiders’ legs (Picture: Getty)
However, thanks to London Zoo, she has since conquered her phobia (Picture: BBC)
‘I am so proud of you! That is awesome,’ enthused Steve, as Claudia responded: ‘He’s a red-knee Mexican tarantula and actually, so sorry, I called him a he – she’s called Millie!’
‘They went, “Would you like to meet Millie?” and I was like, “Sure” and [then] I was like, “Okay…”,’ she added, clearly revealing she had not expecting Millie to be a large spider.
‘But yes, thank you to them,’ she added.
There are pictures of Claudia from 2019, messing around with some tomatoes as she filmed Friday Night Feast with Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty on Southend Pier.
However, in one she appeared to be holding them at arm’s length while another photo showed her grimacing as she bit her nails, as Jamie posed with her arm around her.
With knowledge of her fear now, it seems like she could have been suffering for her art.
Claudia’s hot show The Traitors is also rumoured to be filming a celebrity version later this year (Picture: BBC/Studio Lambert/Mark Mainz)
Claudia also hit headlines this week as reports of a celebrity version of her breakout hit murder mystery programme The Traitors is rumoured for 2025.
There are also major names in the mix to take part, with possible contestants including Rylan Clark, Kathy Burke and Courteney Cox, all of whom have made their fandom public knowledge or been listed as dream signings by producers.
The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One.
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