BBC bosses fear Claudia Winkleman could quit Strictly after The Traitors made her Britain's most in-demand TV presenter.
Company executives fear the 52-year-old will be so in demand that she may consider ending her career as co-host of the dance show alongside Tess Daly.
ITV bosses are already on the hunt for a “piece” of Ms Winkleman after watching her become so successful as the cunning presenter of BBC hit The Traitors, which aired the final episode of the series night.
Her worries come after she left Radio 2 so she could spend more time with her three children Jake, 20, Matilda, 17 and Arthur, 10, and her husband, film producer Kris Thykier.
A BBC source told the Mail: “I was keen to sign Claudia when she wasn't nearly as in demand as she is now and the opening times weren't exactly convenient for her.”
BBC bosses fear Claudia Winkleman could quit Strictly after The Traitors made her Britain's most in-demand TV presenter
ITV bosses are already trying to get a piece of Ms Winkleman
“It takes up most of her Saturday and she doesn't get home until well after midnight, and when there are so many tasks that can be completed within normal working hours… there are worries that will arise soon, at some point.” One intersection and she might decide to leave.
“That would be an incredibly sad day.”
Sources at the broadcaster said they were even more concerned when they read a promotional interview for The Traitors last month in which Ms Winkleman admitted she might leave Strictly.
After being stunned by the series' popularity, she said she confided in her husband that she felt she was at the top of her game, so she should leave the series with a sense of pride.
She said: “I was on a train talking to my husband and I just said: 'It's over but I've had a good run and that's why I should stand down from Strictly and just hide.'
Those close to Ms Winkleman say she “absolutely loves” Strictly and has no plans to stop.
Last night Ms Winkleman hosted the highly anticipated finale of The Traitors, after a three-week rollercoaster ride of lies and backstabbing by a group of 22 strangers.
Harry Clarke (22), his close friend Mollie Pearce (21), Andrew Jenkins (45), Jaz Singh (30) and Evie Morrison (29) fought head-to-head for the cash prize before the final was £68,150.
This comes after Thursday's episode saw Jasmine Boatswain become the latest to be banned from the game.
Company executives fear the 52-year-old will be so in demand that she may consider ending her career as co-host of the dance show alongside Tess Daly
Last night Ms Winkleman hosted the highly anticipated finale of The Traitors, after a three-week rollercoaster ride of lies and backstabbing by a group of 22 strangers
Clarke, a corporal in the British Army, is the favorite to win after using a dazzling array of Machiavellian tactics.
He is also set to become a TV star after the show and is dating Anna Maynard, 23, a children's TV presenter and social media star and sister of pop star Conor Maynard.
Ms Winkleman began presenting Strictly in 2010 when the late Sir Bruce Forsyth stepped down from hosting the Sunday night episode of the show.
She also hosts Channel 4 show The Piano, which searches for amateur pianists, and she has already signed up for a third series of The Traitors.
The presenter, who is estimated to be worth £9million, turned down the chance to host a talk show after filming a pilot episode with Graham Norton's production company So Television.
Ms Winkleman, whose fashion choices on The Traitors have won widespread praise, wore an oversized black fringed coat worth £4,750 from Saint Laurent, which she has since revealed will be auctioned off for Comic Relief in March.
During the series she wore a range of classic British country clothing, including a £595 argyle waistcoat from British luxury brand Purdey – which has now sold out since she wore it in the first episode – a mohair kilt from Highland brand Brora for £259 ££180 Dr. Martens Chelsea boots.