Claudia Winkleman was "completely overwhelmed" by her busy work schedule last year.

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly

The 44-year-old 'Strictly Come Dancing' co-host, who presents the popular dance competition alongside Tess Daly, has admitted she regularly phoned her husband Kris Thykier whilst sobbing on the floor in a department store because she couldn't balance her work and family life.

Speaking openly about the impact of her hectic schedule to Red magazine, the brunette beauty - who has sons Jake, 13, Arthur, five and 10-year-old daughter Matilda with her partner - said: "Last year, and the year before, I was completely overwhelmed.

"I'd call my husband on Christmas Eve from the floor of John Lewis crying my eyes out because I hadn't got anything for the kids and I'd missed the nativity play."

And the star has revealed she was "incredibly sad" when she quit BBC One's Film 2016 last year but believes she "needs" to be more involved with her family to avoid missing more school productions.

Claudia - who married Kris in 2000 - explained: "I'm incredibly sad about having to give up the film programme.

"I need to be more present, because I don't want to miss the nativity again."

However, Claudia has hinted she felt embarrassed she couldn't cope with the pressure of her job and shouldn't be "allowed" to feel overwhelmed when her friends, who are lawyers, work longer hours.

The television personality continued: "But, look, I just read out loud for a living. Most of my friends are doctors or lawyers, people I went to university with, they're on the train at 7am and don't get home until 7pm.

"They work bloody hard, and they're allowed to be overwhelmed. I don't think I'm allowed, really."