The Traitors icon unrecognisable without trademark looks in hilarious throwback
Claudia Winkleman's style has definitely changed since she was a student in 1992
The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman looks unrecognisable in a resurfaced video from the start of her career.
Claudia, 53, has just wrapped work on the third series of The Traitors, overseeing the game as finalists Leanne Quigley and Jake Brown took out Traitor Charlotte Berman for a Faithful win.
Their victory spelled bad news for fellow Faithfuls Frankie and Alexander, who were both banished after Charlotte had gone – serving as collateral damage to a still-suspicious Leanne and Jake.
The outcome may have been in doubt for a while, but one thing has always been consistent – host and fashion icon Claudia Winkleman, sporting magnificent bangs and a glowing spray-tan.
Everyone has to start somewhere though, and a throwback video has emerged of a younger Claudia, sans her trademark look.
And, as the show’s finale beckoned, her old university shared a playful look back at Claudia’s time as a student model.


Posting to their Instagram page, Claudia’s old alma mater – Murray College, in Cambridge – shared a video of their famous alumnus, featuring in a news report from 1992.
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‘Day 2 of our Claudia Countdown to the Traitors Final!’ wrote the institution in the accompanying caption.
‘Claudia Winkleman’s fabulous fashion-sense has dominated media coverage of The Traitors – but did you know she’s been serving stylish looks since she was a student?’

In the video, a young Claudia discusses her experience as a student model saying: ‘There’s a jokey thing, it’s good.’
She continued: ‘There’s a chance to strut up and down wearing ten types of outfits, having your makeup done, extensions placed on nostrils, the whole thing.
‘And it’s a chance to be a bit glamorous after the library.’

In the clip, Claudia wears her hair as a brunette, her forehead on full display without those now-trademark black bangs.
In the comments below, fans were quick to register their shock… with many not knowing how to feel about this glimpse at a pre-fame icon.
‘Seeing her forehead feels invasive to her privacy,’ joked Sarahepercy.
‘Evidence of a forehead!!!’ exclaimed belleofsouthsea.
It may not be Claudia as we know her now, but evidence of the future icon was still there.
‘divalicious from the start,’ wrote eazie.peazie.
‘an icon from the start 😍’ agreed ellen.percival.
