Strictly's Claudia Winkleman gushes over 'wonderful' co-star with touching gesture

Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman left fans thinking she had a soft spot for co-star Dave Arch as she described him as 'wonderful' while gushing over his recent accolade

Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman left viewers questioning her close bond with the musical director Dave Arch, especially after she gushed over his recent honorary degree.

Despite being happily married, it looks as though the presenter who co-hosts the BBC show with Tess Daly, has formed a close bond with Dave over the years. The musical director has become an important part of the show as the pianist, composer and conductor of the dance show, since 2006.

Claudia,52, recently described him as "wonderful" and has regularly heaped praise on him during the live shows. She said: "Our wonderful Dave Arch was honoured this week with a honorary degree from The Prestigious Skills Hall, which is absolutely extraordinary. So I think we should have a round of applause. We love him. Congratulations to Dave."

Playing up to speculation over their close friendship, they left the audience in fits of laughter as they dressed up in wedding outfits. The presenter, famed for her witty personality, is happily married to film producer Kris Thykier and the couple share three children together.

The star, who is also the host of Traitors, revealed that her fantasy dance on the show would be a "three-way" Samba with Dave - and Tess. Discussing her fantasy dance partners, she explained: "An Argentine tango with Vincent Simone. But my main fantasy dance is a three-way samba with Tess and Dave Arch. I'm talking big feathered dresses and three of us doing samba rolls in unison. I'll leave that image with you. Sorry if you feel nauseous."

Away from the camera, it's believed that Dave prefers to lead a more quiet life with his wife and three children. Last year, Claudia announced that she was leaving her role on BBC Radio 2 to spend more time with her family. She said at the time: "Here's the thing and it is such a boring cliché so I apologise. Time is going too fast. My daughter is getting ready to leave home and she was 3 about 5 minutes ago. I still have a little one who wants to be with me. I don't know how long that will last and I just need to be at home more."

In 2014, Claudia was at her wits end after her daughter Matilda suffered burns in a Halloween costume, which left her with serious injuries. Speaking about the harrowing incident while on Watchdog, she said: "Everyone was screaming. She was screaming, all the kids there were screaming. It feels like she was on fire for hours but the surgeon said that definitely wasn't the case and it was probably just seconds."

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