BRAVERY AND PAIN: Carol Vorderman SHARES Emotional Health News As She Lifts Lid On Her ‘HELLISH’ Secret Struggle

Carol Vorderman, pictured with Ashley Banjo in 2022.

Television and radio personality Carol Vorderman made a shocking revelation in October 2024 when she announced she was taking a break from her LBC Sunday radio show after experiencing a “health scare”. A year later, she has exclusively revealed that she has been “extremely unwell” throughout the past 12 months, but has finally begun to recover from her struggles.

The ex-Countdown icon admitted last year that she felt “frustrated” about needing to step away, but wanted and needed to restore balance between her work and personal commitments. Speaking to OK! ahead of taking to the red carpet to host the yearly Pride of Britain Awards, Carol revealed: “This year has been a bit hellish health-wise. I’ve been very poorly, not related to the burnout but something entirely different. I’m on the right medications now, but it’s only in the last month or so that I felt I’ve got my mojo back. So watch out, world!”

Carol Vorderman on red carpet

The twice-married and divorced mum-of-two also revealed she had been relying on a circle of loyal friends to lift her spirits and help her enjoy her newly-found time off work.

She explained: “I’ve had lots of mini-breaks and holidays with friends – gay friends, female friends I’ve had for 50 years, or some I’ve known for 10. I’ve been back to horse racing, I’ve travelled to the States, to France, to everywhere, actually,” reports the Mirror.

“Going back and seeing old friends has been wonderful. And the right friends, too. I think I’ve managed to drop all the bad ones.

“It’s easy to forget how much your old friends love you. I’ve had messages to say, ‘Oh, come and stay in our villa’, or ‘Come and visit us on our boat’. It’s lovely to be so loved, really.”

She also revealed her commitment to an unconventional approach to dating, choosing several “special friends” over pursuing an exclusive relationship.

Explaining why she chooses not to become someone’s girlfriend, the Pride of Britain presenter said she couldn’t imagine having to ask anyone’s “for permission” to live her life.

“My brain never stops, and my capacity for adventure is huge. So, I don’t ever want to ask someone else again for permission to do something. It’s just not my nature. I’ve been married, I was happily married and I’ve got wonderful children.

“I have so much love in my life, and people who will come on adventures with me. I’ve got one friend who goes to the International Space Station every year, so I get a couple of phone calls from there. It’s wonderful! And I’m doing nothing wrong, because I’m single.”