BIOGRAPHY
CAROL VORDERMAN MBE MA(Cantab) is from Prestatyn and Denbigh, Clwyd, North Wales. She was born on Christmas Eve 1960, her Mother is Welsh and her Father was Dutch.
She Attended Ysgol Mair (Welsh for St. Mary's School), Rhyl, and Blessed Edward Jones High School, Rhyl.
At the age of 20 she was awarded an Honours Degree in Engineering by the University of Cambridge (Sidney Sussex College).
In 1985 she was awarded a Master's Degree in Engineering by the University of Cambridge.
At the age of 21 she became the first woman to be seen on Channel 4 (2 November 1982) as the resident statistician on COUNTDOWN. (There were over 3000 applicants for this vacancy). Made by Granada Yorkshire Television, Countdown has on several occasions taken 5 out of the top 10 places in BARB's weekly Channel 4 ratings. In April 1989 Channel 4 started "The Channel 4 Daily" and COUNTDOWN MASTERS was featured daily for 2 years until March 1991. Following the tragic loss of Richard Whiteley in June 2005, Carol presented Countdown with Des Lynam and then with Des O'Connor.
On 9th February 1991 Carol featured in JIM'LL FIX IT with 2 children who wrote to the programme concerning Carol and COUNTDOWN.
Carol was asked to be lead presenter of TOMORROW'S WORLD when the series was re-launched with a new format in October 1994. The series was filmed on location, previously it had been studio-based.
HOW 2!
Do you remember HOW!? It was ITV's longest running children's series until it was axed in 1981 after 16 years. Carol was chosen as one of the 3 presenters when it's first series as HOW 2! returned to our screens on 21st September 1990.
HOW 2! was nominated for the best children's programme in the Programme & Technology Awards of the Royal Television Society in May 1992. The repeats of the 5th series were the top children's programmes (BARB ratings) and the 6th series was transmitted in the autumn of 1995.
ON YOUR MARKS
Carol presented this series of competing teams of school children, which was transmitted on Yorkshire TV region only.
GMTV (GOOD MORNING TV)
Carol appeared in several GMTV features.
NOTES & QUERIES
This was based on the Guardian Newspaper's popular weekly column and Carol was chosen by the BBC to co-host a new show with Clive Anderson. This programme ran to two series.
BREAKING GLASS
Carol was the presenter of this series for BBC 2, transmitted May 1994 and repeated 1995. It was about women 'breaking through the glass ceiling' to progress in their careers.
THE HYPNOTIC EXPERIENCE
A Thames TV light entertainment programme presented by Carol, 10 December 1992.
SEEING STARS
Carol was the subject of one of the programmes, transmitted May 1992, about her life and achievements.
CLUEDO
Carol was a celebrity sleuth in one of the programmes in May 1992.
THIS MORNING
CHIPS
A series of 12 programmes explaining microchips, transmitted Wednesdays commencing 25th March 1992 on ITV's "THIS MORNING" programme.
GIBBERISH
Carol was one of the team of six entertainers.
MUSIC ON ITV (HTV)
Transmitted on HTV, February 1992 Carol hosted a one-hour Gala performance at the Swansea Festival by the National Symphony Orchestra of theme music of ITV series.
THIS MORNING: PARENT POWER
The return of ITV's "This Morning" on Monday, 2nd September 1991 included the start of "Parent Power", a series of 12 educational slots presented by Carol.
"This Morning" also devoted a special feature to Carol's VIDEO CLASS TIMES TABLES on Monday, 4th November 1991.
WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP (SHORT V KASPAROV)
The Times World Chess Championship was staged in London September-October 1993. Channel 4 broadcast it LIVE to 25 countries on three days each week with a 'highlights' programme each Sunday. Carol was the anchor-woman on all the programmes, heading a team of three Grandmasters. In January 1994, a special programme was transmitted of Carol versus Short and Kasparov together. Carol was given moves by her team of Grandmasters via her earpiece … nevertheless, she and her team lost! In April 1994, Carol was in Moscow to cover the PCA Kremlin Stars 1994 Chess Speed Championship on behalf of Channel 4 and two American tv channels which was transmitted on 14th May on Channel 4.
TAKE NOBODY'S WORD FOR IT
BBC Science series of 10 programmes transmitted January to April 1987 which Carol co-presented with Professor Ian Fells of Newcastle University. This series was repeated on BBC 1 in July 1988. During the filming of this series Carol filmed at Dinorwig Pumped Storage Scheme, Snowdonia. Carol had worked here as the only female site engineer during her civic engineering days at Cambridge. Evoluon Exporatory, Eindhoven, Holland this was a particularly interesting visit for Carol as it was her first visit to Holland (she is half Dutch/half Welsh). She was also able to research the history on her Dutch great-grandfather who was Dr. A.G. Vorderman. Dr. Vorderman was an Inspector-General of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and he helped to discover the cure for beri-beri. He was also the author of several books on the bird-life and plants (especially those with medicinal properties) of the islands and has two butterflies names after him (Adolias Vordermanni and Elymnias Vordermani) as well as several insects and a worm (Perichaeta Vordermanni, 1890)! Dr. Vorderman was awarded the highest Honours of the Netherlands.
The first programme in the series included a film of Mrs. Thatcher (who is the first Prime Minister to hold a degree in Science) showing her favourite kitchen science experiments in her own kitchen at No. 10.
A second series of 10 programmes of TAKE NOBODY'S WORD FOR IT was transmitted on BBC 1 and BBC 2 during January - March 1989 and repeated on BBC 1 during April/May/June 1990.
Programme 8 in the second series explored the relationship between art and science and on 4 December 1989 was awarded the Royal Television Society's prize for the best Adult General Education programme. (It continues to be shown on tv and was again transmitted 3 October 1993). This series has won a total of three awards.The experiments conducted by Carol and Professor Fells in TAKE NOBODY'S WORD FOR IT have been extracted and were shown on BBC 2 over several months in 1992/93 in a series of 5-minute programmes called EXPERIMENT!
SUM CHANCE: BBC ADULT NUMERACY SERIES
In the autumn of 1990 Carol presented this series of 8 x 10 minute programmes for which the BBC commissioned a survey of numeracy in the UK. It was repeated on BBC 2 Schools programmes commencing January 1991; also May/June 1991.
A WAY WITH NUMBERS: BBC ADULT NUMERACY SERIES
The transmission of this series of 20 x 25-minute programmes began in November 1990 and continued until June 1991.
PICK OF THE WEEK (ITV)
Carol presented nine programmes in the series which finished December 1992.
POSTCARDS FROM DOWN UNDER
Carol's visit to Queensland and the Northern Territories. BBC2, 5 programmes x 25 mins.
GOING LIVE
Carol was guest celebrity on this programme on 23rd March 1991 which was an outside broadcast from "The Watercress Steam Railway Line".
THIS MORNING
Carol appeared as one of the guests for the "Battle of the Sexes" on 2nd April 1991 and since then has featured on several occasions.
TV-AM: AFTER NINE
Carol was interviewed on 10th June 1991 regarding her MATHS videos (see later on) and November 4th on her TIMES TABLES video.
Christmas 1990 Carol was guest on CELEBRITY 15 TO 1; also on CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE on which she won £5,500 for Charity.
THE VORDERMAN REPORT
This series of 6 reports was Carol's first venture into producing her own programmes. She reported on scientific pioneering projects in the Yorkshire region. The Vorderman report was shown within YTV's Calendar news programme on Thursday's evenings during July and August 1990.
TV-AM's WIDE AWAKE CLUB
Carol appeared as the 'science expert' on TV'am's Wide Awake Club on Saturday mornings. Her slot was called "Ask Carol". The Wide Awake Club became WAC'90 in September 1989 and Carol's slot became Carol's FAB LAB.
JUMBLE
Carol was guest celebrity on two of these quiz shows during March 1991 and again in the second series August 1992.
THE SOFTWARE SHOW
A review of some of the best programmes for home use on a wide range of computers.
CAR WISE ITV Network
This series of 12 x 10-minute programmes giving advice on motoring was presented by Carol on ITV's THIS MORNING programme.
THROUGH THE KEYHOLE
Carol has appeared on several programmes.
BOOK TOWER
Carol presented the programme on Science Books transmitted on ITV.
SO WE BOUGHT A COMPUTER
Carol devised, wrote and presented this series of 6 programmes which told stories of 'non-technical' people who use computers quite happily in their daily lives.
OPEN COLLEGE: POWERBASE SERIES, CIRCUIT TRAINING SERIES
Carol co-presented with Michael Rodd these 2 series (each of 5 programmes) on Electricity (powerbase) and Electronics (circuit training).
GO GETTERS
Carol was one of the three members of the "Red Team" on this series.
PUT IT TO THE TEST
Carol presented 8 episodes of this lively show, trying, testing and proving all sorts of things in front of a studio audience.
Other television programmes Carol has taken part in are NOEL'S HOUSE PARTY. Carol was a guest on Noel's House Party on a number of occasions and appeared in the No. 1 hit record of Mr Blobby's song!
In January 1995 she was a victim of a GOTCHA OSCA and in January 1996 was well and truly gunged on a trip to the Great House.
MICRO MINDSTRETCHERS BBC2, SCHOOLS
5-minute problems (10 in series).
ASK NO QUESTIONS
Panel game which Carol co-presented with John Junkin.
KID'S KAFE
Carol was presenter of this series of 8 programmes which was set in a café run by children.
THE GAME
Yorkshire Television computer quiz programme.
SOUNDS GOOD (Yorkshire Television 1986)
She co-presented 2 series about children of all ages involved in music, dance and drama.
INTERVIEWS
Carol has been interviewed on RIGHT TO REPLY, THIS MORNING, OPEN AIR, DAYTIME LIVE, KELLY (Ulster TV), TV-am's GOOD MORNING BRITAIN, ELINOR LIVE (HTV) BEHIND THE SCREEN, and UK LIVING and many more.
Carol was the expert on Careers in Science on TV-am's SUCCESS 89 and again on SCHOOLS 90.
RADIO RADIO AIRE ILR, Leeds, covering West Yorkshire. Carol presented her own weekly programme on Radio Aire for 2 years.
BBC RADIO Radio 4: Carol presented "The Parts", a series of 12 programmes on Technology. Transmitted 1st May to 24th July 1991. Her second series was broadcast January -March 1992.
Carol has been a guest on LBC, GLR, "THE STEVE WRIGHT SHOW", "START THE WEEK" and "SECOND EDITION", Radio 5's "MORNING EDITION", BBC Radio Wales, BBC Leeds, BBC Radio Scotland, Marcher Sound, Radio WM and Forces Network etc,etc. In 1990 Carol was a co-presenter with Fred Harris of a series on Mathematics.
On Radio 4. January/ February 1990, Carol was presenter of 3 programmes entitled "ACTIVE SCIENCE". Radio 5 (also Radio 3 'Nightschool') "ACTIVE SCIENCE" 4 programmes. Repeated 1991 and 1992.
CORPORATE VIDEOS / CONFERENCES
Carol has been the presenter of innumerable corporate videos - for major insurance companies, car manufacturers, Banks, travel companies, Electricity companies, British Airways, ABTA, Air UK, Gatwick Airport, British Telecom, The Admiralty, computer companies, building societies, breweries, government departments, the Sports Council, etc, etc.
In November 1989 Carol hosted the Awards ceremony at the Odeon, Marble Arch, for the Film Festival's Computerised Animation Awards. In 1989 she was the presenter of the ABTA video of their conference in Acapulco. In 1990 Carol hosted an evening performance of "The Moon, One Small Step", at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, with the late colonel James Irwin, Apollo 15 Astronaut and Moonwalker.
On September 1991, Carol hosted the awards ceremony for the "Young Engineer for Britain 1991" at which the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon John Major, presented the trophy. She also hosted the 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 awards ceremonies.
On 28th October 1991, Carol opened the "Maths + Science = Mary Rose" exhibition for the Mary Rose Trust, Portsmouth.
PUZZLES
Carol wrote CAROL'S MINDBENDERS for WEEKEND magazine until it's demise at the end of 1989 and has provided puzzles for various newspapers.
From October 2007 until March 2009 Carol's PUZZLE PARADISE appeared weekly in REAL PEOPLE magazine.
BOOKS
Her first book was published June 1988 - "DIRTY, LOUD AND BRILLIANT" (science experiments for children). It has been on the top ten list of children's non-fiction books. Carol was commissioned by the publishers, Hodder & Stoughton, to write a follow-up book "DIRTY, LOUD AND BRILLIANT TOO" and this was launched on 16th February 1989.
MADE EASY Series: Maths, English & Science (Dorling Kindersley). In a 12 month period these titles sold over one million copies.
CAROL VORDERMAN'S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET (Prentice Hall Europe) sold over 200,000 copies.
CAROL VODERMAN'S PUZZLE CHALLENGE (Paragon Publishing). DETOX FOR LIFE (Virgin Books, December 2001) 14 DAY SUMMER DETOX (Virgin Books, May 2003) & CAROL VORDERMAN'S DETOX RECIPES (Virgin Books, December 2003) have sold over a million copies.
CAROL VORDERMAN'S 30 DAY CELLULITE PLAN published December 9th 2004 (Virgin Books). CAROL VORDERMAN'S EAT TO BEAT CELLULITE RECIPES published December 2005 and CAROL VORDERMAN'S 14 DAY EASY DETOX published January 2006 (Virgin Books). CAROL VORDERMAN'S MINI DETOX BIBLE published January 2007. EAT YOURSELF CLEVER (Virgin Books) published January 2008.
CAROL VORDERMAN'S HOW TO DO SUDOKU (EBURY PRESS) published June 20th 2005 closely followed up with CAROL VORDERMAN'S MASSIVE BOOK OF SUDOKU. CAROL VORDERMAN'S HOW TO DO JUNIOR SUDOKU published November 2005 and CAROL VORDERMAN'S HOW TO DO EXTREME SUDOKU published January 2006.
SUPER BRAIN - 101 EASY WAYS TO A MORE AGILE MIND published January 2007
Carol's Autobiography IT ALL COUNTS was published in Hardback on September 16th 2010 and in Paperback on June 23rd 2011.
CAROL VORDERMAN'S VIDEO CLASS SERIES
Carol produced and presented VIDEO CLASS: MATHS, six individual 90-minute videotapes which cover the whole Maths Curriculum for 11 to 16 year olds. They were launched in April 1991 as revision aid for the millions of children taking the National Curriculum and GCSE. They were extremely well received by teachers and pupils alike and in September 1991 were followed by VIDEO CLASS: ENGLISH AND TIMES TABLES. VIDEO CLASS: TIMES TABLES (learning the times tables to pop music) was featured in two news bulletins by ITN on 20th September 1991 and also on ITN's World Service Bulletin. It is being sold worldwide. In November 1992 Carol launched 2 new videos which she produced and presented. They are sponsored by ALBSU (Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit) and are: SPELL WELL AT ANY AGE and PUNCTUATE WELL AND WRITE A PERFECT LETTER AT ANY AGE.
Other videos produced and presented by Carol are THE 3Rs (three separate videos):
READING, WRITING, ARITHMETIC and LEARN CHESS WITH NIGEL SHORT.
On 25th April 1994, SMART DRIVING, WOMEN AT THE WHEEL was launched. THE WAY TO PASS books (6 Maths, 4 English) were launched in April 1994 to accompany the videos.
December 26th 2000 released CAROL VORDERMAN'S 28 DAY DETOX VIDEO - a No. 1 bestseller, giving the secret of her amazing transformation. (Universal) December 27th 2004 release of CAROL VORDERMAN'S KICK START DETOX AND EXERCISE PLAN TELEVISION
YOU BET
Took part and won, donating the money to Bristol Cancer Open Scanner Appeal.
TELEGCANTICMEGAVISION
Carol's topics were Sound Effects and How Much 'Gear' does it take to say Hello?
MILLENNIUM SCIENCE
Presented this science series for Anglia Television, April 1996.
OUT OF THIS WORLD
A peak-time BBC 1 series on unexplained phenomena, presented by Carol. 6 x 40minute programmes.
ITV 16 week run NATIONAL LOTTERY Carol regularly presented the National Lottery from February 5th 1997, BBC 1.
COMPUTERS DON'T BITE
Presented six programmes BBC 2 May/June 1997. Stories about computers, educating children, the effect of computers. Series made by the Watchdog team. A further series from May 11th 1998.
TESTING TESTING
June 20th 1997. I.T.V. A thirty minute prime time all-action special including spectacular footage of a whole variety of items being tested to destruction.
HOT GADGETS
Carol hosted this light-hearted show where new gadgets are tested by the public and voted "hot or not".
THE ANTIQUES INSPECTORS
Carol and her team of experts visit towns and cities all over the country making home visits, advising on history, care and value of a huge range of antiques.
MYSTERIES WITH CAROL VORDERMAN
October 7th 1997 (8 weeks) BBC 1. Carol takes a look at events from around the world which defy conventional or obvious explanation.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE
Carol was the subject of this enormously popular BBC series on October 20th 1997.
JUST ONE CHANCE
October 23rd 1997 (8 weeks) BBC 2. A new magazine programme for parents, bringing consumer journalism to education for the first time. POINTS OF VIEW BBC 1998.
CELEBRITY COUNTDOWN
8 shows with celebrity contestants. April 1998.
WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT
September 3rd 1998 (6 weeks) ITV. A prime-time popular science series filmed at the Millenium Dome. Each week Carol and her team were joined by people of all ages to give their verdict on the latest high-tech advances.
CELEBRITY STARS IN THEIR EYES
December 2nd 1998 (ITV Network) appeared as Cher performing "The ShoopShoop Song". (repeated September 1999)
FIND A FORTUNE
December 16th 1998 (ITV Network). A life-changing programme for many people discovering long lost riches. Plus a series commencing August 1999 and a further series commencing June 23rd 2000.
DREAM HOUSE
January 6th 1999 (BBC 1). A series of six programmes building the house of the future.
BETTER HOMES
January 4th 1999 (ITV Network). A home improvement series of 10 programmes. Plus further series September 1999, April 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
PARKINSON January 8th 1999 (BBC 1)
GIVE A PET A HOME May 1999 (ITV Network)
TESTED TO DESTRUCTION (ITV Network) July 1999
ITV'S YEAR OF PROMISE Launched October 17th 1999
STARS & THEIR LIVES (ITV Network) December 1999/2000. Three one-offs followed by a series of six programmes commencing July 1st 2000 and a further series of eight programmes commencing October 15th 2000.
BETTER GARDENS (ITV Network) 7 programmes commencing January 2000. Plus a one hour special.
PRIDE OF BRITAIN AWARDS (ITV Network) Presenter. First televised April 2000 and was so well received the 2001 Awards were also televised and annually since.
STAR LIVES (ITV Network) 2001 SOAPSTAR LIVES (ITV Network) 2002
BRITAIN'S BRAINIEST KID
A very successful one-off special screened in the summer of 2001.
BRITAIN'S BRAINIEST A new series for 2002.
CELEBRITY WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONNAIRE
Carol won £125,000 for Express Link Up, a charity providing computers for children in hospital.
ARE YOU TELEPATHIC June 2003.
GRAND SLAM
12 shows commencing June 2003 Channel 4. The UK's toughest quiz challenge.
BRITAIN ON THE MOVE
Debate programme May 2004.
TROUBLE IN PARADISE ITV May 2004.
Narration only of first six and present final June 2004.
STRICTLY COME DANCING BBC1
THE GOLDEN LOT
November 6th 2005 (ITV). A series of 12 x 30 minute programmes
SUDOKU MIND GAME SERIES Autumn 2005 (Sky).
ANT & DEC'S GAMESHOW MARATHON
Part of the celebration of 50 years of ITV. September/October 2005 Carol won "The Price is Right", and "Play Your Cards Right" and went on to win the final "Family Fortunes".
VORDERMAN'S BIG BRAIN GAME
(Sky One) 8 programmes commencing April 13th 2006.
HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU BBC 1 May 26th 2006. Guest presenter.
THE FRIDAY NIGHT PROJECT C4 August 11th 2006.
Numerous guest appearances on Today with Des & Mel, GMTV, This Morning, Frank Skinner, Jonathan Ross, Parkinson, Have I Got News For You, The Kumars at No. 42, Richard & Judy, Paul O'Grady etc.
COMIC RELIEF DOES THE APPRENTICE (BBC1)
Carol was part of the winning ladies team in March 2009 and appeared on "The Apprentice - You're Fired!" (BBC2) on 25th March 2009. She also appeared as a guest in November 2010.
THE CHRIS MOYLES QUIZ SHOW C4 3rd May 2009.
THE ANDREW MARR SHOW BBC1 3rd May 2009.
THE JUSTIN LEE COLLINS SHOW ITV2 7th May 2009.
WOULD I LIE TO YOU BBC1 10th August 2009.
LOOSE WOMEN ITV 20th October 2009 and 2nd March 2010. Carol was also Guest Host on May 27th and October 1st 2010. She became Anchor Presenter on September 5th 2011.
THE ONE SHOW BBC1 30th November, 4th December 2009 and 26th, 28th and 30th April 2010.
THE ANDREW MARR SHOW BBC1 various appearances.
8 OUT OF 10 CATS C4 various appearances.
BBC BREAKFAST BBC 2nd March 2010
THE ALAN TITCHMARSH SHOW ITV 3rd March 2010 and November 2010
QUESTION TIME BBC 4th March 2010
SATURDAY NIGHT SHOW RTE 20th March 2010
DAILY COOKS CHALLENGE ITV1 29th March 2010
3 @ THREE ITV1 10th August 2010
ASK RHOD GILBERT BBC1 11th October 2010
LORRAINE SHOW ITV1 Guest presenter April 18th and 20th 2011, May 31st to June 3rd 2011 and August 22nd to September 2nd 2011.
THE CHASE ITV1 19th November 2011.
Carol headed a maths task force for David Cameron, which commenced February 2009, assessing teaching methods in England. The report was published August 8th 2011 entitled " A world-class mathematics education for ALL our young people".
Carol launched her on line maths school in March 2010 www.themathsfactor.com.
ENDORSEMENTS
Over the years Carol has fronted many successful promotional campaigns including Ariel, Benecol and for a number of years Firstplus. From January 2004, she endorsed a range of organic food products called SIMPLY ORGANIC sold in Sainsburys, Tescos, Morrisons etc.
Autumn 2005 released Carol Vorderman's Interactive Sudoku Game DVD, Carol Vorderman's Sudoku CDRom, Carol Vorderman's Sudoku Hand Held LCD Game, Carol Vorderman's Sudoku Mobile 'phone game, Carol Vorderman's Internet Skills with Prizes, Carol Vorderman's Sudoku Board Game.
Carol Vorderman's Mind Aerobics was launched March 5th 2007. The first game in the UK to be released simultaneously on three different platforms via Sky Gamestar (interactive TV), online and on mobile 'phones.
Carol's weekly column CAROL @ MIRROR ran in the Daily Mirror for six years from 1999 to Summer 2005.
Awarded MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours List 2000.
Awarded Honorary Doctorate by Cardiff University, July 2008.
Carol was named as the winner of the "Rear of the Year Award" in June 2011.