'I've finally found MY VOICE'

Carol Vorderman on ageing, staying in shape and dealing with hate

- ARIANA LONGSON.

If there's one word to describe Carol Vorderman, it's most definitely formidable. With brains as well as beauty, when it comes to Carol there's much more than meets the eye. The star, 63, grew up - in her own words - 'in poverty', yet against the odds found herself at Cambridge University, before going on to become one of telly's most recognisable faces.

A self-confessed 'outrageous' extrovert, in recent years the former Countdown presenter has made headlines - and sparked backlash for calling out the government, but that hasn't stopped her from speaking her piece. 'I have always been riotous,' she admits, adding, "They had to calm me down. I was out in nightclubs at 15 in Rhyl, North Wales!' Here, unapologetically herself, Carol opens up about ageing, keeping on top of her famous figure and finding her purpose.

Coming of age

With over four decades in the industry, Carol is more than used to trolling and negative opinions. But these days it doesn't faze the star. 'I know who I am, I know what I stand for and I know what makes me happy. I'm also old enough not to care about what anyone else thinks about me,' she shares. 'I cop quite a lot of it but I pay no attention... On social media I mute certain words. That gets rid of a lot of the ad hominem attacks.'