Claudia Winkleman charms thousands of visitors with her doggy twin at Birmingham Crufts

It seems some dogs don’t just resemble their owners—they mirror them entirely.

Claudia Winkleman appeared to have found her four-legged lookalike at the world-famous Crufts dog show on Thursday, as she embraced a terrier with a glossy black fringe reminiscent of her own signature hairstyle.

The TV star made a striking entrance at the Birmingham NEC, stepping into her newest role as presenter of the annual canine extravaganza.

Thousands of meticulously groomed pedigree dogs were on display, all hoping to be crowned “best in show” by the end of the weekend.

A Stylish Start on the Red Carpet

Claudia, 54, wore a bold green jacket with “DOGS” emblazoned across the back, paired with black leggings and statement £1,080 Bottega Veneta Lug leather ankle boots.

Hugging and greeting dogs alongside their proud owners, she radiated excitement for the competition.

“I absolutely love dogs, and there is literally nowhere else on Earth I’d rather be,” she said.

“I have a pocket rammed with treats.”

Joining her was Amanda Holden, sporting a double-denim ensemble decorated with embroidered portraits of her dogs, Minni and Rudie, on the back—proving that this year’s red carpet wasn’t just about human fashion.

The Competition Heats Up

Judges will be busy evaluating pooches across multiple breed groups, including working, pastoral, and terrier categories.

Visitors to Crufts can expect impressive displays showcasing canine intelligence and athleticism, from agility courses to obedience demonstrations.

The event draws roughly 150,000 visitors, all eager to witness the precision grooming and extraordinary skills of the country’s top dogs. By Sunday evening, one lucky dog will earn the coveted “best in show” title.

Crufts Meets Claudia Winkleman’s New Show

Claudia’s debut at Crufts comes just a week before the premiere of The Claudia Winkleman Show on BBC1.

The chat show promises an eclectic lineup, featuring Hollywood legend Jeff Goldblum, Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders, comedian Tom Allen, and The Devil Wears Prada musical actress Vanessa Williams.

Reflecting on her upcoming role, Claudia joked, “I’m obviously going to be awful—that goes without saying,” displaying her signature self-deprecating humor.

The show will air next Friday at 10:40 pm.

Impact and Consequences

Claudia’s presence at Crufts adds a fresh celebrity element to the iconic dog show, boosting media attention and social media engagement.

Her participation underscores how mainstream entertainment and traditional events are increasingly intersecting, making such competitions more appealing to younger and celebrity-following audiences.

For Crufts itself, celebrity presenters like Claudia and appearances by personalities such as Amanda Holden help maintain its relevance and attract wider coverage, potentially increasing ticket sales and sponsorship interest in the years ahead.

What’s Next?

As the Crufts weekend continues, fans can expect daily highlights of competitions and demonstrations.

Claudia will continue presenting and engaging with participants, bringing her unique humor and charm to the event.

Meanwhile, viewers can anticipate her chat show debut, which may further cement her post-Strictly Come Dancing career and expand her fan base.

Summary

Claudia Winkleman kicked off her Crufts TV presenting role with flair, meeting dogs and owners while showing off her own sense of style.

The event remains one of the largest dog shows in the world, featuring intense competition across various breeds.

Claudia’s participation adds celebrity appeal and precedes her own BBC1 chat show launch, demonstrating a seamless blend of canine passion and entertainment industry momentum.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Claudia Winkleman hugged a terrier with a black fringe, making fans remark on the uncanny resemblance.
• Crufts drew around 150,000 visitors, showcasing thousands of pedigree dogs across breed categories.
• Claudia wore a green “DOGS” jacket and £1,080 Bottega Veneta boots, combining style and canine enthusiasm.
• Amanda Holden joined the red carpet wearing outfits featuring her own dogs, highlighting the celebrity-dog connection.
• Claudia’s Crufts role comes ahead of her BBC1 chat show launch next Friday at 10:40 pm, featuring high-profile guests.