The Countdown legend is taking over 5’s daytime line-up this week with a series of special appearances
The Countdown legend is taking over 5’s daytime line-up this week with a series of special appearances
Sara Baalla Screen Time TV Reporter
13:49, 17 Mar 2026
Carol Vorderman is set to dominate 5 Daytime this week with a series of special guest spots.
The 65-year-old star has been welcomed into the broadcaster’s daytime schedule for a full day of appearances across all shows on Tuesday (March 17). Carol kicked off the day alongside Jeremy Vine, before progressing through the line-up to join Storm and Alexis, Matt Allwright, and Vanessa Feltz.
Throughout the day, Carol will engage in discussions tailored to each programme, highlighting the diverse tone, topics and audiences that comprise 5’s daytime content.
These guest spots also mark Carol’s return to 5 in her role as a team captain on Celebrity Puzzling, where she joins Sally Lindsay and host Jeremy Vine. The show sees celebrities flex their mental muscles with an array of puzzles and brain teasers, reports the Mirror.
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Expressing her enthusiasm ahead of her 5 takeover, Carol stated: “I’m really looking forward to spending the day across 5’s daytime shows. It will be great to chat about everything from the issues of the day to real life stories and consumer topics, and of course to share a bit about Celebrity Puzzling. I love a good puzzle, so I’m excited to give viewers a taste of what’s coming.”
In honour of Carol’s appearances across 5’s line-up, here’s everything you need to know about the star.
Where is Carol Vorderman from?
Carol was born on 24th December, 1960, in Bedford to her Dutch father, Anton, and Welsh mother, Edwina. She is the youngest of three children. Carol experienced childhood heartbreak when her parents separated just three weeks after her birth, with her mum promptly returning the family to her hometown of Prestatyn, North Wales, where Carol and her siblings were raised.
Carol didn’t see her father again until she reached 42 years of age. Discussing the reunion, which was arranged by her sister, Carol previously said: “I was nervous… I only had a fading photograph of dad, taken as a young man. When I walked into the room, he was waiting for me and it took my breath away because we are so facially alike.
“He was grey-haired, smaller and more frail than I had imagined. But there was no doubt that he was my dad – those were my own features staring back at me.”
She added: “I hugged him and, as we started to chat, I realised that I actually liked him. I thought, ‘Oh, you stupid woman, why haven’t you seen him all those years?’. I called him dad right from the start, and it felt so natural.”
Carol Vorderman’s career
Carol’s broadcasting career commenced when she joined the Channel 4 game show, Countdown, featuring alongside Richard Whiteley from 1982 until his passing in 2005. She subsequently appeared with Des Lynam and Des O’Connor, before departing in 2008 and being succeeded by Rachel Riley.
Whilst appearing on Countdown, Carol went on to present numerous programmes on ITV, including How 2, Better Homes, and The Pride of Britain Awards, as well as hosting shows such as Have I Got News for You, and The Sunday Night Project.
She’s also featured on Loose Women, and participated in Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2016, and The Great Celebrity Bake Off in 2020, which she won.
Carol was honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to broadcasting in Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours in 2000.
Carol Vorderman’s love life
Carol was first married to Royal Navy officer Christopher Mather at the age of 24, though the marriage lasted just one year. She subsequently married management consultant Patrick King at the age of 30. The pair, who separated in 2000, share two children, Katie and Cameron.
Carol then entered into a five-year relationship with prominent sports journalist Des Kelly, but they separated in 2006. They reportedly reconciled temporarily, before parting ways once more.
The star has revealed that she feels “freer” having special friends, rather than being in a monogamous relationship. Following splits from two of her “special friends”, Carol told The Times: “Life’s moved on. It’s free-spirited. There’s no ownership, but it works.”
Carol is admired by many in the industry, including Melvin Odoom and former TOWIE star Pete Wicks, who has confessed to having a “weird crush” on the legend. On his Staying Relevant podcast, Pete quipped: “Carol, let me know when you’re free. I can’t wait – we can talk maths, have a cracking night on tequila, and we can wake up in the morning and I can make you breakfast!”
Carol Vorderman will be appearing on 5’s Daytime line up on Tuesday 17th March, starting at 9:15am on Jeremy Vine
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