How the menopause inspired me to join celebrities in jungle, by Carol Vorderman
THE menopause has many side-effects for women of a certain age.
But only Carol Vorderman can use it as a reason for going on a reality TV show where eating kangaroo eyeballs is commonplace.
The former Countdown star, 55, referred to herself as a ‘menopausal Mama’ and said that going through the change had given her a new lease of life.
Speaking before going into the I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here jungle this week she said: ‘Now I am a menopausal Mama, I am having the time of my life. I am doing a lot more adventurous stuff and it’s the sense of adventure that I love about this show. It’s a very free time in my life.
‘I know people will ask, “why does Carol need to do this?”, but I have never ever paid attention to what others think. I make my own decisions. I like the show and want to do it. I have been watching the show for years and have laughed so much. It is so funny.’
The average age for women to go through the menopause in the UK is 51 and many suffer unpleasant side effects including hot flushes, mood swings, night sweats, weight gain and decreased sex drive.
One I’m a Celebrity source said: ‘Carol’s very brave for bringing this up. It’s not something everyone is happy speaking about, but it’s brilliant that she’s decided to open up about the issue.’
Miss Vorderman is the only single female going into the camp after breaking up with her partner Graham Duff, who was 14 years her junior, last year. Earlier this year she spoke of being ‘freely independent and doing my own thing’.
The only other single campmate is 31-year-old comedian Joel Dommett who said he was looking forward to meeting Miss Vorderman and added: ‘I like maths. I like to show my working out. I think she would appreciate that.’
Miss Vorderman, whose enviable figure has earned her two Rear of the Year titles in the past six years, will certainly attract attention in the jungle shower.
The star is mother to 24-year-old daughter Katie and son Cameron, 19, who she shares with her second husband Patrick King, who she divorced in 2000 after a decade of marriage.
Miss Vorderman is expected to arrive in Brisbane for a briefing today or tomorrow before being taken to the camp in the Australian rainforest. She is likely to take part in a number of BushTucker Trials which can involve eating an array of disgusting creatures (dead or alive) and being buried with snakes, rats or creepy crawlies. The show returns to ITV on Sunday.