Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo admit 'you never know where life takes you'
The Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain Awards With TSB is always a guaranteed tear-jerker, as co-hosts Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo know all too well. And as they return for the 24th annual event, they reveal we’re in for another year of incredibly inspirational stories.
Former Countdown maths whiz Carol, who has hosted the awards since 1999, says she’s “really looking forward” to being back on the stage. While Dancing On Ice judge Ashley, who joined Carol in 2021, adds, “It reminds you that you never know where life is going to go.”
The duo met after Carol took part in I’m A Celebrity in 2016 alongside Ashley’s brother Jordan – and they’ve grown closer ever since. As we catch up, it’s clear they’ve formed a strong bond. Carol, who has just published Carol Vorderman’s Perfect 10 Quiz Book which is based on her chart-topping quiz podcast Perfect 10, has no plans to slow down. The 62-year-old, who is mum to Katie, 32, and Cameron, 26, says, “I’ve got a lot of projects that will keep me busy. It’s a good place to be.”
Ashley, 35, is dad to Rose, four, and Micah, three, and is working equally hard. He’s just finished his West End stint in The Wizard Of Oz, he’s been filming The Real Full Monty and is rehearsing for Diversity’s tour.
The Pride of Britain Awards hosts Carol Vorderman (right) and Ashley BanjoHere, they talk about family life and why the Pride Of Britain Awards is so close to their hearts…
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Hi, both! What’s your favourite part of hosting the Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain Awards With TSB?
Ashley: It just feels unique. You see the weight and the gravity of how the night affects not just the winners but everyone in the room. I look forward to it every year. It’s a real honour to get to do it.
Carol: It’s just this sort of goodness that’s in the room that you rarely come across as a feeling. It’s gentle, kind and it’s all of the things that we want our lives to be.
How do you find working together?
Carol: We get on really well. I know Ash’s brother Jordan because we were in I’m A Celebrity together all those years ago. Through Jordan, I met Ash and their family. They’re amazing.
Ashley: Carol has become a family friend. She comes to see our shows and we support each other with whatever we do. I’ve always enjoyed working with her. I’ve learnt a lot from her too.
What kind of things have you learnt from hosting with Carol?
Ashley: Her demeanour – the way that she speaks to people and the way that she’s got an incredible memory. When we’re doing the Pride Of Britain Awards, we get to know 30 names over quite a short space of time. You care about everybody’s story, but Carol remembers the details and she speaks to everybody like she knows them.
Do you get nervous hosting the ceremony?
Ashley: Of course. More so because it’s about the people and you don’t want to make any mistakes or take anything away from them. If Carol
and I do our jobs right, we should almost fade into the background.
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You both have jam-packed schedules. Do you haveany plans to slow down?
Carol: It’s more about picking and choosing.
You clearly make time to stay in such amazing shape, Carol – what’s your fitness regime like?
Carol: I love hiking, but that’s hardly been happening because I’ve either been busy travelling from my home in Bristol for work or I’ve been in London and obviously I can’t go hiking there. So I’ve mainly been going to the gym. But I’ve really missed outdoor exercise and I crave it.
What do you enjoy doing in the gym?
Carol: Weight training. And as you get older, you have to do more of that. I have some equipment in my lounge too, so I can do stuff at home like hip thrusts, kettlebells, some basic arms and shoulders and glutes. I’m feeling super fit and well. I follow women on Instagram who are in their fifties or older who are into fitness and I just think they’re amazing. One woman is 85 and she uses parallel bars. It’s extraordinary. If I devote myself to this, then by the age of 70, maybe I can do a parallel bar. I can nearly do the splits for the first time in my life.
Hosts Carol Vorderman (right) and Ashley Banjo holding one of the Pride Of Britain AwardsIncredible! Are you enjoying your sixties?
Carol: I love my sixties. They’re really interesting. For my mother’s generation, by the time you were 60, you were classed as elderly. And I don’t feel that way at all. Most of my friends are a lot younger and I’ve got a younger head, if you like.
Do you ever worry about ageing?
Carol: I’ve never been a worrier. I am very pragmatic. I’m very conscious that people my age and people older than me get ill. It’s the long-term illnesses that start hitting people you know and love. I became conscious of that, so I have health check-ups. Generally, I’m a very healthy person. I eat quite well, I hardly drink at all now and I’ve never smoked. So I’m very happy.
And are you still happy being single?
Carol: I am very happy. As I’ve had Covid recently, I’ve had time to watch the telly. I started watching MAFS Australia. I don’t usually watch shows like that. I watched about 20 hours of it. My conclusion is, I’m glad I’m single.
You’re very close to your children, Katie and Cameron. How are they doing?
Carol: Katie is quite extraordinary. She’s in the space industry. Cameron and I live together in Bristol. He’s doing really well. We’re a very happy family.
Ashley, you’re also a parent of two. Do they think you’re a cool dad?
Ashley: I don’t know if they’ve got an opinion about it yet. They love coming to watch me in live shows though.
How do you balance work and fatherhood?
Ashley: I’d love to speak to the person who feels they’ve got the right balance because if they do, they’re very lucky. I just work as hard as I can and try to do everything that I do to the best of my ability.
What’s next for you both?
Carol: I’m going on holiday to Juicy Oasis in Portugal for two weeks – I love it.
Ashley: Nearly 15 years after winning Britain’s Got Talent as a group, I’m still finding new things that push me and things that are exciting. So hopefully that continues.
Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo host the Daily Mirror Pride Of Britain Awards With TSB, Thursday 12 October, 8pm, ITV1.
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