Claudia Winkleman tells of 'life-changing' moment her daughter's Halloween costume set alight

Claudia Winkleman has described how her eight-year-old daughter "went up like a birthday candle" when the Halloween fancy dress witch costume she was wearing suddenly set alight last year.

Speaking for the first time about the incident that left Matilda in hospital with serious burns, the Strictly Come Dancing co-host told BBC's Watchdog: "I was talking to somebody ... and then I heard her shout and she was on fire.

"She went up, is the only way I know how to describe it ... it was a spark and she screamed out for me.

"It was like those horrific birthday candles that you blow out and then they come back ... it was really fast, it was fast, it wasn't fire like I'd seen."

The 43-year-old said that she bought the costume in a local supermarket for "five quid" and urged parents to think carefully about the costumes they choose for their children.

The consumer campaign show, on BBC One at 8pm tonight, tests how safe high street costumes are.