Claudia’s Halloween shock is the stuff of all our nightmares

There can’t be a parent who didn’t feel a sense of horror when they learned that Claudia Winkleman’s 10-year-old daughter was in hospital suffering serious burn injuries after her Halloween dress caught fire.

Little Matilda’s costume “went up like a fireball” after she accidentally brushed against candles in a pumpkin while out trick and treating with her friends.

It’s the stuff of nightmares.

You and your child make plans to celebrate some special event, whether it’s a birthday, Halloween, Bonfire night, Christmas, or a summer holiday. You talk about the clothes, the food, the fun all the little treats which make these things special. You share the excitement of the preparations. It’s part of the magic and fun of childhood.

And then something goes horribly wrong. It’s no-one’s fault. It’s an accident. But everything changes in that instant. And you know that you will blame yourself forever was there something I could have done differently to prevent this happening? If you’ve ever been in the children’s ward of a hospital you see parents there with anxious faces and you know exactly what they’re going through.

So my heart goes out to Claudia Winkleman and her husband Kris Thykier at this time as they keep a vigil by Matilda’s bedside.

Claudia’s place on Strictly Come Dancing for the past two weeks has been taken by Zoe Ball and, as a mum of two kids herself, her thoughts will be with Claudia and her family.

Parenthood is a risky business. A bit of your heart is out there in the world walking about, playing, riding a bike, swimming, climbing, crossing roads, growing up and going out to parties, drinking, smoking, driving a car, going on foreign holidays and you have to live with the fear of “what if?”

When they’re late home, you can’t sleep because you’re waiting for the key to turn in the lock. Then your mind works overtime and you’re waiting for a police car to stop outside.

The fear starts early and it never stops.

You become a hostage to fortune. You want your child to have all the good experiences life has to offer. You want them to be carefree and brave and adventurous.

But, always, there is the knowledge that accidents happen. The first time they climb a tree you hold your breath. In a sense you’re still doing that when they’re backpacking around the world. It’s all part of the price you pay for the privilege of being a parent.

So turnip and pumpkin lanterns will continue to be lit. Fireworks will brighten the November skies. Children will go swimming in the sea next summer. Life is for living.

Traditions are part of a happy normal childhood. Claudia and her husband Kris want that for their family.

And I’m sure all of you who are parents join me in sending them our best wishes for Matilda’s recovery.