With a feisty reputation for speaking her mind and tackling awkward issues that would make other people blush, Loose Women host Carol Vorderman says she can’t wait to be Closer’s new straight-talking columnist.
And after spending over three decades in the spotlight – originally finding fame on quiz show Countdown in 1982 – Carol says she’s proud to represent a new generation of women who won’t be held back by age.
Carol, 52 – who’s mum to Katie, 20, and Cameron, 16 – says: “I’m so excited about putting my views across in Closer. Women in their 50s used to be ignored and constrained, but now classing people by age is becoming a thing of the past.
'I want older women to feel confident and embrace this new positive mood'
“Now women in their 30s are hanging out with 50 year olds – we’ve all realised we have so much in common and that so many issues transcend age. Even my 84-year-old mum gives my daughter dating advice – the ‘treat them mean, keep them keen’ motto still applies! I want older women to feel confident and embrace this new positive mood.”
And Carol’s determination to knock down age barriers has extended to her love life – she’s been dating pilot Graham Duff, 38, who she met at a charity event, for seven months.
Despite being blissfully happy with Graham, Carol was forced to deny they were getting married last week after her Loose Women co-star Sherrie Hewson hinted they’d tie the knot soon.
Sherrie said on the hit show, which Carol has hosted for the past two years: “The Loose Women are all getting married. Denise is first in July and I met Carol Vorderman’s new man the other day. He’s beautiful.”
But, after her first marriage at 24 to Royal Navy officer Chris Mather lasted only a year, her second marriage to management consultant Patrick King ended in 2000 after 10 years, then she had an 11-year on-off relationship with sports journalist Des Kelly, Carol confesses she’s not tempted to ever say “I do” again.
She laughs: “Graham and I are having a fantastic time just as we are. We’re definitely not discussing marriage – I can’t see myself walking down the aisle again. Marriage isn’t something I’m particularly good at – I’ve already failed twice!”
Although Carol says Sherrie’s indiscretion last week was just “silly nonsense,” she says her Loose Women co-stars aren’t afraid to confront each other behind-the-scenes if any issues arise.
Carol reveals: “We love all the banter in front of the cameras, but there can also be the odd heated debate outside the studio. We all just say what we think, then it’s done. That’s what happens when you get a load of outspoken women together!”
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Having said that, she says she’s made a lot of great new friends on the show including Jane Macdonald, Denise Welch and Sally Lindsay, and loves being on the panel.
'Being a single parent is exhausting and tough'
But Carol says taking on the Loose Women is nothing compared to raising two children by herself for the past 13 years. The TV star, who lives in Bristol but commutes into London for work, says: “Being a single parent is exhausting and tough because you never have a minute to let up.
“I’m lucky that Cameron stays with my mum when I’m working in London, but I feel pressurised trying to juggle everything. Despite that, my kids are still the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I wouldn’t change the situation for the world.”
Although Carol – who was crowned Rear Of The Year in 2011 – says she needs a good sleep, she’s famed for her youthful appearance and revealing her perfect size 10 curves in an array of tight bodycon dresses.
Carol, who’s the face of online fashion brand Isme.com, says: “My life changed when designers realised they could put Lycra in dresses and not just sports gear. Around 20 years ago, clothes looked awful on me because I couldn’t get anything to fit around my huge bum and chest with a relatively tiny waist.”
She adds: “Now I love dressing up – and I won’t conform to the old rules of elasticated waistbands only after hitting a certain age! Life’s too short. Everyone thinks I wear eight pairs of Spanx but I don’t.”