Though she’s known for wearing all-black attire, fans might be surprised to hear that Claudia Winkleman’s not a fan of Halloween for a traumatic reason.
The BBC presenter, who quit Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly on Thursday, has tirelessly campaigned for costume safety years after her daughter, Matilda, fell victim to a Halloween horror nine years ago.
The 52-year-old has previously detailed the terrifying incident, which took place on October 31, 2014.
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing.
Pic: Tess Daly/Instagram
Now 19-year-old Matilda was as any other child would be on Halloween, excited, when her witch costume went up in flames after she brushed against a candle.
Claudia previously told the Daily Mail: ‘I don’t like Halloween because [a few] years ago it turned out our screams were real.’
Claudia Winkleman on the Graham Norton Show. Pic: Matt Crossick/BBC
Recalling the harrowing moment, Claudia said: ‘She “went up” is the only way I can describe it – it was a spark and she screamed out for me. It was like those horrific birthday candles that you blow out and they come back. It was really fast. It was definitely life-changing for me.
‘I was talking to someone and then I heard her shout and she was on fire. It feels like she was on fire for hours, but the surgeon said it was probably just seconds.’
Claudia Winkleman ditches her iconic eyeliner and goes makeup-free in rare pic Pic: Getty
Matilda, who was eight years old at the time, spent three weeks in hospital after suffering burns to her legs. Meanwhile, the family’s neighbour, Jamie Poulton, was left with second-degree burns after jumping to the rescue and trying to put the fire out with his bare hands.
He said: ‘This material just keeps reigniting and re-burning. And it is sticky, so it melts on the skin. It doesn’t cinder. It remains hot. It was horrific to be honest. I was trying to put it out with my hand.’
Claudia Winkleman on the Graham Norton Show. Pic: Matt Crossick/PA Media/BBC
‘It was a warm night so I wasn’t wearing a jacket. I was trying to roll her and pat her clothes. I was trying to rip the costume off her, which didn’t really help because it just ripped and dropped back,’ Mr Poulton continued.
‘It is very bad material. That stuff is terrible. The costumes are very, very cheap to buy. They are nylon and they just go up.’
