She followed in the footsteps of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth when he stepped down as presenter of Strictly Come Dancing ten years ago.
But now Claudia Winkleman is also involved in the scandal surrounding the show. Before that, she presented the spin-off It Takes Two.
In the program she regularly showed fragments of professional dancers, in which they sometimes behaved aggressively towards their famous partners.
In recent days, several historical videos have surfaced, including one in which James Jordan can be heard in the 2006 series threatening to drag actress Georgina Bouzova across the floor and shouting “kill you” at her.
It was Ms. Winkleman, 52, who introduced the clip, which sparked fresh controversy last week. Halfway through the clip, with Ms. Bouzova sitting next to her, she joked about the recording, calling Jordan “an extraordinary human being.”
BBC colleagues of Claudia Winkleman, pictured here with co-host Tess Daly, fear her involvement in the historical clips could have a negative impact on her.
In a historic 2006 clip, James Jordan can be heard threatening to drag actress Georgina Bouzova across the floor
Giovanni Pernice, 33, is expected to be acquitted of bullying his former partner, Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington
Graziano Di Prima was fired for allegedly kicking his famous partner Zara McDermott
Another clip sees Jordan again verbally abusing Ms Bouzova, while fellow professional dancer Brendan Cole shouts at Emmerdale actress Claire King.
The BBC sang Duran Duran’s Wild Boys in the background, with Winkleman saying: “What better way to launch a new show than with a visit from the wild boys of Strictly?”
The clips have now been shared tens of thousands of times on social media, and now Ms Winkleman’s BBC colleagues fear her involvement – in behaviour now widely condemned by viewers – could have a negative impact on her.
‘Claudia was doing her job at a time when the BBC clearly felt that such behaviour was acceptable,’ said one. ‘She read what was on a script. But she is making fun of the behaviour and it has not gone unnoticed on online platforms. These were undeniably different times but unfortunately it is now being viewed through the lens of today. Of course Claudia would never think it was OK to treat someone like that.’
The Strictly revelations come ahead of the launch of the 20th anniversary series.
Another professional dancer is believed to be the subject of allegations after the behaviour of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima hit the headlines.
But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Pernice, 33, is expected to be cleared of bullying his former partner, Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington.
The Italian dancer, who denies any wrongdoing, has been presented with Ms Abbington’s allegations in recent weeks and has refuted them. He has spoken to BBC bosses and expects a ruling within a week.
As part of the BBC investigation, several professional and celebrity dancers were asked if they had witnessed incidents of Mr Pernice bullying Ms Abbington, 52. They all reportedly said no. A source familiar with the investigation said: ‘Giovanni saw everything that was done to him and he has been able to refute all of them. He is now awaiting the BBC’s verdict but as far as he is concerned he has done nothing wrong and there is no evidence that he has.’
The ruling comes three months after an investigation began. Many people involved with the show are furious that it has taken so long to resolve it and believe it has made the fallout worse. Claims emerged yesterday that Anton Du Beke told his 2009 partner Leila Rouass that she “looked like a P***” because she had a spray tan. He immediately apologised after making the comment.
Strictly sources say Ms Abbington had urged Ms Rouass to come to law firm Carter Ruck, a claim they believe she may not have made if the investigation had been completed earlier.
The BBC has not spoken to Mr Du Beke. It is unlikely that he will do so, as it was covered at the time.
And in what has caused even more headaches for Strictly bosses is the revelation that the show’s golden couple, professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington, have split.
The pair, who head to Strictly today to train with their professional dancers, are at war after a huge row following the end of their 18-month romance.
Mrs Bychkova, 34, has pulled out of performing alongside Mr Widdrington at the Strictly Come Dancing-themed event, Donaheys’ Dancing With The Stars, on Friday night at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.
Guests at the £700-a-person two-night weekend away expected the couple to give a waltz lesson. But Ms Bychkova failed to turn up, with Latin American dancer Rebecca Scott taking over. It comes days after reports that Ms Bychkova had complained to BBC bosses about matters relating to Strictly – something she later denied.
A source close to the estranged couple said: ‘Nadiya is really angry with Kai. God knows how this will end… she doesn’t want to be in the same room as him.
“They’ve had a huge row and things are going badly between them. There’s a whole series of dances on the same show. The Strictly team are now preparing for this nightmare.”