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Born in Bedfordshire, Carol Vorderman, 65, studied engineering at Cambridge University. Her mathematical skill secured her a role on the Channel 4 gameshow Countdown, which she co-hosted from 1982 to 2008. Since 1999, she has presented the annual Pride of Britain awards, and in 2000 she received the MBE for services to broadcasting. She has published educational workbooks, self-help guides and her latest paperback is Now What? A People’s Manifesto for a Better Britain. She is a team captain on Channel 5’s show Celebrity Puzzling. She is twice divorced, has two children and lives in Bristol.
When were you happiest?
I was happiest in every aspect of my life in the 1990s, when I was married to Paddy [King, a management consultant] and we had the two children and my mum lived with us, and Countdown was the biggest show on Channel 4.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I still say yes to too many things.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Narcissism.
Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
My aeroplane, a Diamond DA42. It’s a twin-engine aircraft and I bought her brand new to fly around the world solo. Very sadly my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer about six weeks before I was due to take off, in May 2017, and she died early June. After that, I lost interest in doing it.
Describe yourself in three words
Independent, curious and funny.
What would your superpower be?
I would be able, with one show of my middle finger, to vaporise nasty rightwingers.
What makes you unhappy?
I am rarely unhappy.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I can never make my mind up about my hair, so right now I have very long, dark hair. Yesterday, I had shorter, blond hair – I’ve got extensions.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
It would be 1990s Cher and she’d have to sing. She sings just like I think I sing, but don’t.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Cancelling, because I’ve said yes to too many things trying to please everyone.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A fighter pilot.
Would you choose fame or anonymity?
Fame.
What does love feel like?
Like I would die for them in a nanosecond.
What was the best kiss of your life?
There’s a long list – I love snogging.
Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it?
Oh my God, yes, just to keep the other person quiet.
What is the worst job you’ve done?
Living in a campervan for a week with Timmy Mallett for a children’s TV show about 40 years ago.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
There are one or two relationships where I’d see the red flags much earlier.
When did you last cry, and why?
I genuinely can’t remember crying.
What has been your closest brush with the law?
I had stalkers during the lockdowns. I had to get the police involved and the outcome was two people were issued with a caution.
Tell us a secret
I have a tattoo. Where? I’m not telling you.
