She stepped into the shoes of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth when he bowed out of hosting Strictly Come Dancing a decade ago.
But now Claudia Winkleman has been dragged into the show’s scandal from her time prior to that presenting the spin-off It Takes Two.
She would regularly introduce clips of professional dancers on the programme, with some showing them behaving abrasively towards their celebrity partners.
Several historical videos have re-emerged in recent days, including one in which James Jordan can be heard threatening to drag actress Georgina Bouzova along the floor and shouting ‘kill you’ to her during the 2006 series.
It was Ms Winkleman, 52, who introduced the clip, which sparked fresh controversy last week. Halfway through it, as Ms Bouzova sat beside her, she made light of the recording and declared Jordan ‘an extraordinary human being’.
In another clip, Jordan is seen again verbally abusing Ms Bouzova while fellow professional dancer Brendan Cole bellowed at Emmerdale actress Claire King.
The BBC dubbed Duran Duran’s Wild Boys song into the background, with Ms Winkleman saying: ‘What better way to launch a new show than with a visit from the wild boys of Strictly.’
The clips are currently being shared tens of thousands of times across social media. And now Ms Winkleman’s BBC colleagues fear that her involvement – with the behaviour now being widely condemned by its viewers – could have a negative impact on her.
‘Claudia was doing her job at the time when clearly the BBC thought such behaviour was acceptable,’ said one. ‘She was reading what was on a script. But she does make light of the behaviour and it hasn’t gone unnoticed across online platforms. Undeniably, they were different times but unfortunately it now is being looked at through today’s lens. Of course Claudia would not ever think treating someone like that was okay.’
The revelations about Strictly come ahead of the launch of its 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, the Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington.
The Italian dancer, who denies any wrongdoing, was presented with Ms Abbington’s allegations in recent weeks and has rebutted them. He has met with BBC bosses and is expecting a verdict within the next week.
As part of the BBC probe, several professional and celebrity dancers were asked if they witnessed any incidents of Mr Pernice bullying Ms Abbington, 52. All of them are understood to have said no. A source familiar with the investigation said: ‘Giovanni has seen everything levelled at him and he has been able to refute all of them. He is awaiting the BBC’s verdict now but as far as he is concerned he has done nothing wrong and there is no evidence to suggest he has.’
The ruling will come three months after the investigation began. Many connected with the show are furious that it has taken so long to resolve, and believe it has made the fall-out worse. Yesterday, claims that Anton Du Beke had told his 2009 partner Leila Rouass that she ‘looked like a P***’ for having a spray tan came back to light. He apologised immediately after making the comment.
Strictly sources say Ms Abbington had urged Ms Rouass to come forward to legal firm Carter Ruck. They feel she may not have done that had the inquiry been completed sooner.
Mr Du Beke has not been spoken to by the BBC. It is unlikely he will be as it was dealt with at the time.
And in yet another headache for Strictly bosses, it can be revealed that its golden couple, professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington, have split up.
The pair, who are due to join their fellow professional dancers in Strictly training today, are at war following a huge fall out after their 18-month romance came to an end.
Ms Bychkova, 34, pulled out of performing alongside Mr Widdrington at a 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 two-night, £700 per person weekend break were expecting the couple to lead a waltz lesson. But Ms Bychkova was a no-show, with Latin dancer Rebecca Scott stepping in. It came days after reports Ms Bychkova made a complaint to BBC bosses about matters relating to Strictly – something she later denied.
A source close to the estranged couple said: ‘Nadiya is really angry at Kai. Goodness knows how this one will play out… she doesn’t want to be in the same room as him.
‘They have had a huge fall out and things are bad between them. There is a whole series to get through of dancing on the same show. The Strictly team are bracing themselves for this nightmare now.’