Carol Vorderman: Her grief and the little boy tugging at her heartstrings
CAROL VORDERMAN is one of Britain’s favourite TV presenters. She shot to fame on Channel 4’s Countdown, which she co-hosted from 1982 to 2008. But one of the 58-year-old’s best-known gigs is the Pride of Britain Awards – which she has hosted for 20 years. Here, she tells best how she still gets emotional about the unsung heroes, despite the fact she has been presenting the event for so long. She also opens up about her grief following the death of her beloved mum, Jean, two years ago, and explains why she prefers to shun the celebrity spotlight these days...
Another year, another Pride of Britain, but this show never seems to get old. Does it always feel new to you?
I think it does, because the stories are so fresh. These real-life emotional narratives are infinitely more interesting than celebrity ones – some of them are amazing. We started these awards 20 years ago, and I honesty believe they are still such a huge part of ordinary people’s lives. Pride of Britain is the mother ship.
Have there been any award-winners this year who have touched you?
It’s the children I’m drawn to, as they have something spiritual about them. There is one 11-year-old boy (Dante Marvin), who has been through so much and sums up the spirit of these awards, by focusing on the good side of life. His motto is: ‘There are no disabilities, only abilities.’ I connect with that – I now only spend my life with positive people. I never go down the negative route.
Is there ever a private moment during the awards when you shed a tear?
I tend to lose it before and after the show. Then I will watch it back after it’s been transmitted and I’m a wreck. I’m resolute during it, because I’m aware these awards are not about the host. I want these people to have the best night of their lives.
Do you get nervous hosting such an emotional event?
Not unless something goes wrong. I just have to remain focused and there’s no time for nerves. My purpose is to ensure the running
order works. I worry about other people, not me.
Does this event remind you of when you went through your own pain?
I’m one of those people who shrugs their shoulders and thinks: ‘I’ve got to get on with life.’ Sad things have happened, but you must keep going. One key aspect about getting older is learning to appreciate what you do have. I tell myself: ‘Carol, when you were a little girl growing up in Wales, you could never have dreamed you’d have the life you do now.’
How do you deal with your own fame?
I’m not a celebrity, I just work in telly. If they had annual awards for the laziest celeb, I’d win every year! I don’t like doing interviews or the whole red carpet thing, just the things I enjoy. I love my flying and hiking.
Yet the press continues to obsess over your looks and figure…
I don’t take any notice of all that and just get on with my life. I don’t pursue the sort of fame that some people in TV do. I focus on what keeps me happy. That’s the key, you just have to live in the moment.
You lost your beloved mum, Jean, two years ago. Does that sense of loss ever go away, or are you still grieving?
I loved her and looked after her, like any good daughter should. Of course I miss her. She had cancer three times, the first time in her early seventies, but she lived on for almost another 20 years, so I celebrate that. I made sure she had everything she needed. How she lived that long I’ll never know, because all she ever ate was sugar! [ laughs]
What about romance – are you in a good place now?
Yes, I am and have been for a number of years. I’m happy with my life and there’s nothing more I really need.
What else have you got planned, TV-wise?
I’m doing a Christmas special, then I’m going out to Australia for an ITV2 I’m a Celebrity… spin-off, alongside Emily Atack and Joel Dommett, which I’m really excited about.
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, airs on ITV on Tuesday 5 November at 8pm.