Inside Carol Vorderman's difficult marriage splits, juggling five boyfriends to TV crush

Now, Carol has a number of 'special friends' but keeps their identities hidden (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Carol Vorderman, best known for her long tenure on Countdown, has been a staple name in British households for decades, leaving many admirers wishing to date the star from her early television days.

As the mathematician turns 64 on Christmas Eve, Express Online takes an inside look into her former marriages, to "special" friends and new love interests.

As her remarkable TV career rolls on, fans are naturally curious about Carol's romantic endeavours. We delve into the personal life of the celebrated presenter.

The beloved Welsh personality has said "I do" twice in her life. Her first venture into matrimony was with Christopher Mather in 1985, at the tender age of 24.

However, the union with the naval officer was short-lived, as they parted ways a mere year after their wedding vows were exchanged.

Carol Vorderman tied the knot with her first husband aged 24 (Image: Getty)

In a humorous recollection during a 2018 BBC Radio Wales segment, Carol hinted that her rendition of It's Raining Men at her first wedding might have played a part in the matrimonial mishap.

Reflecting on her wedding day, Carol remarked: "When I got married for the first time, not terribly successfully... this could be the reason why.."

She went on to share details about her post-nuptial celebrations, saying: "So we got married during the day and had the standard reception thing and then there was an evening do."

For the evening festivities, Carol donned a bold number, reminiscent of the dazzling costumes seen on Strictly Come Dancing, borrowed from the dancers of the show Three, Two, One.

Carol Vorderman ended her first marriage after just one year of matrimony (Image: Getty)

Carol Vorderman pictured with son Cameron and daughter Katie (Image: Getty)

She said: "I got on the stage and I sang this [song] at my wedding and I was then dragged off by my husband and the marriage didn't last long, so here we go, it's raining men and you can understand his reasons."

Four years after her split from Christopher, Carol tied the knot with management consultant Patrick King. The couple had two children, Katie and Cameron, during their decade-long marriage.

Sadly, the couple divorced in 2000, a decision that Carol has since expressed regret over. Speaking to Woman Magazine, she revealed: "The divorce is a regret of mine and my mum thinks that we should have stayed together."

She added: "He's now remarried so there's no chance of us getting back together."

Reflecting on the impact of her career on her personal life, Carol mused: "Had my career not taken off like it did, Paddy and I probably wouldn't have split up."

However, she ruled out the possibility of remarrying, stating: "I never want to get married again."

Carol and Des Kelly met at a Chrismas party (Image: Getty Images)

Carol Vorderman pictured with ex-boyfriend Graham Duff (Image: Getty)

In the early 2000s, Carol met Des Kelly at a Christmas party, with whom she had a long-term relationship.

They moved in together and split their time between London and West Cork in Ireland, but after six years the couple decided to go their separate ways in 2006.

Afterwards, Carol started to date her pilot boyfriend Graham 'Duffy' Duff, who was 14 years younger than her.

They dated for four years and had a brief break-up in 2015 before rekindling their relationship.

But after giving it another go, Carol revealed they had decided to part ways the following year.

Carol told the Mirror in 2016: "I’m happily single, freely independent and doing my own thing."

She added: "I’m not opposed to going out with someone 10 years younger, it’s acceptable. But Duffy was 14 years younger – that was a bit silly really."

Carol Vorderman has been married twice (Image: Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images)

Carol Vorderman showcased her physique in a red latex dress (Image: Instagram Carol Vorderman)

The Welsh belle has since clutched her romantic escapades close to her chest, opting to shroud them in enigma.

However, in a tell-all moment Carol said she had five boyfriends "on rotation", admitting: "I'm having the best time."

She opened up about her love life - and her candid confession about having polyamorous relationships last year.

Asked if she's in a relationship, Carol told Michelle Visage's latest Rule Breakers podcast: "No! I'm having the best time. I've spoken about this once. I have a system which I've had for 10 years. They're called 'special friends'.

"This whole assumption: 'Have you got a partner yet? Have you got a man?' Well, no actually I've got five'."

Carol Vorderman showcased a new hairstyle on Instagram (Image: Instagram Carol Vorderman)

Carol has dated one of her boyfriends for 11 years, while another one she's been involved with for seven.

She continued: "You know, everyone is single. It's a happy place. I hasten to add I'm not into one night stands."

However, in a new interview this year, the presenter admitted she has dumped two of her "special" friends.

She told The Times: "Life’s moved on, it’s free-spirited. There’s no ownership but it works. I haven’t had many relationships but I’ve had a couple of bad ones — they’re a gamble."

Meanwhile, I'm A Celebrity campmate Melvin Odoom recently revealed Carol slid into his DMs while he was in the jungle. The radio DJ, 44, admitted he had a crush on the former Countdown host during his time on the ITV show.

He said: "I'm just about to check the DMs and I've noticed there's a message from Vorders herself. Let's have a look see.

"Someone's looking after my page and she goes, 'Please give him my best, he's done so well, heart emoji.'"

Melvin has since reacted to Carol's latest Instagram post, in which she showcased a new look after getting a new haircut.

The radio host was quick to compliment the former Countdown star, who took to the comment section to post a heart emoji.