Carol Vorderman's Countdown 'ban' over dispute 26 years after exit
Carol Vorderman has revealed her Countdown exit in 2008 wasn't exactly amicable.
The Pride of Britain host, 63, started her career on the Channel 4 show back in 1982 when she joined her friend Richard Whiteley on Countdown until his death in 2005, with Carol continuing to share the screen with Richard's successors Des Lynam and Des O'Connor before quitting.
But despite appearing on the show for 26 years, maths guru Carol has never returned to the set of the programme that made her a household name - claiming she was told she was no longer welcome in the studio once she finished her contract in 2008 and bid farewell to the show.
Countdown viewers loved watched Carol Vorderman on the show for over two decades (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The star with long-time pal Gyles Brandreth, Cathy Hytner and late Countdown host Richard Whiteley (ITV/Shutterstock)Carol, who was replaced with Rachel Riley, walked away from her role on the Channel 4 show following a disagreement over her contract, with her final episode airing in December 2008 - with Carol claiming the door was slammed shut behind her after filming her final Countdown episode.
"I was on Countdown for 26 years and I’ve not been allowed back in the studio since," the Cambridge-educated star has told OK! "I was told, 'You’re never welcome here'. I have no idea why." Carol went on to add: "Six months after I left Countdown, they had the 5,000th [episode] and I absolutely wasn’t invited. It’s not bitterness – I wish them all the best. Life moves on, doesn’t it? I love my life, I have a great time."
Escape to the Chateau's Dick and Angel give exciting news as fans beg for return
Earlier this week, Carol asked her fans to forgive her appearance as she celebrated Christmas in a robe. The TV star, who turned 63 on Christmas Eve, explained on Instagram that her less-than-perfect look was due to celebrating her birthday the night before and sharing a bed with her daughter.
In a short video, she said: "Hello lovelies, you superstars happy Christmas to you from me and thank you for all of your wonderful birthday messages yesterday." She added: "Excuse the state of me; I've been bunking up with my daughter. We're having a big family Christmas. Bunking up with my daughter for the last few nights and she is a squiggler. That's why I look so tired. As the girls will know I've still got last night's make-up on. Ah, who cares? It's Christmas!" She concluded by wishing everyone a fantastic day and sending love.
Speaking two years ago, she revealed what it feels like having a birthday when everyone is busy with festive preparations. "I know from experience there'll be very few cards, no cake and only a handful of presents," she expressed. Her view wasn't pessimistic though: "But I'm not looking for sympathy - far from it. I love having my birthday at this time of year when the celebrations go on for days and days, and everyone's in holiday mood. Secretly, I think I'm really lucky. People always suggest celebrating our birthdays halfway through the year, on June 24 and never do. They never send us a birthday card, but simply scrawl a message in the Christmas card - if they even remember."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
