Who is Carol Vorderman? Melvin Odoom’s crush and former Countdown maths whizz

CAROLE Vorderman is one of the most beloved faces on British TV. 

Melvin Odoom, who is starring on the 2024 series of I'm a Celebrity, recently opened up for his love for the Countdown presenter and mathematic genius.

Numerical wizard

Carol was born on Christmas Eve in 1960, in Bedfordshire.

She moved to Prestatyn in North Wales, after her parents split, where she spent her teenage years

The maths wizz studied engineering at the University of Cambridge before working as a junior civil engineer at Dinorwig Power Station.

Carole's stint on Countdown

She joined Countdown at the age of 21, in 1982, after seeing a newspaper ad for women with good numerical skills.

Carol appeared on the show with Richard Whiteley from 1982 until his death in 2005.

After his death, she co-presented the show alongside Des Lynam and Des O'Connor until she was replaced by Rachel Riley in 2008.

TV appearances

Outside of her stint on Countdown, Carole has appeared on Loose Women, Have I Got News for You and Lorraine.

The TV star even won The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off.

Her appearances have led her to become one of the highest paid women on British TV.

Going down under

Carol has a long history with I'm a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here and one campmate on the 2024 series even described her as his celebrity crush.

In the 2024 series, Melvin Odoom received a pillow covered in family pictures and a picture of Carole in a leather dress as his luxury item.

Describing the pillow, Melvin said: "My dad, my mum and Carol Vorderman. My crush.

"I have been a fan of Carol Vorderman for a very long time - in fact, I have a little rap.

"I know a woman so fine, she’s mature like a fine wine. The mandem can’t comprehend my 10 out of 10 Carol Vorderman, woo.

"I wanna work her out, check your DMs girl and I’ll be waiting."

Carole responded to Melvin's crush after the show.

She said: "Oh, Melvin, I’m blushing more than that red leatherette dress I’m wearing on your pillow case!”'

Whirlwind romances

Carole isn't married but she has tied the knot twice in her life.

She married her first husband, a Royal Navy officer named Christopher Mathers, in 1985 but they divorced just a year later.

In 1990, she married management consultant Patrick King and the pair stayed together for ten years before splitting.

During their relationship, they had two children named Katie and Cameron.

Although she is careful with her daughters' privacy, Carol shared her pride in her daughter when Katie graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2015.

Carol told the Mail Online: "I’m so proud. We’re one of the very few mother and daughter duos who've done science and engineering at Cambridge."