Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman has candidly discussed her unconventional approach to relationships, revealing she has no intention of settling down with one partner. The 65-year-old presenter, who has been single since her split from journalist Des Kelly in 2007, spoke openly about maintaining connections with five 'special friends'.
A System That Works: Life with Five 'Special Friends'
Vorderman detailed her relationship framework, which she says is working very well for her. She affectionately refers to the men in her life as 'special friends', with friendships spanning over a decade in some cases. One friend has been in her life for eleven years, and another for seven. Her two adult children, Katie, 31, and Cameron, 25, are aware of and know most of these companions.
The television personality emphasised that all parties involved are single, adhering to a 'do no harm' principle. She expressed a notable lack of jealousy, stating she would be perfectly fine if any of her friends met someone else and moved on. "I'm not a jealous person and I'm happy when my friends are happy, whether they are 'special friends' or not," she explained.
Challenging Societal Expectations
Vorderman used her platform to challenge traditional expectations placed on women regarding partnership and life fulfilment. Speaking to The Mirror, she asserted: "I have no desire to settle down right now. Maybe when I'm 82 — with a 45-year-old!"
She directly addressed the pervasive idea that women need a male partner to enjoy life's experiences. "There's this idea that women need a man to travel, to live, to enjoy themselves - you really, really don't," Vorderman stated. She clarified that her perspective is not anti-men but decidedly pro-women, celebrating the freedom and opportunities now available. "That's not anti-men — it's pro-women, there's a whole world out there and women are reaching for it," she added.
Embracing Freedom and Happiness in Her Sixties
For Vorderman, the current chapter of her life is defined by choice and independence. She contrasted her sixties with the constraints of earlier decades. "The goal of my life is to be happy, not to be in love," she revealed. "And you can get to a stage where you choose which bits you enjoy. You can't in your 30s because you're making your way in your career, you're beholden to bosses and all those sorts of things. But in your 60s…"
Her outlook extends to the nature of her relationships, which she says thrive on honesty. She relishes the freedom her setup provides and sees no issue if her partners desire more intimacy, "as long as you're all honest and have a good time".
The maths whizz, who was first married to Christopher Mather from 1985 to 1986 and then to Patrick King from 1990 until 2000, appears content with her chosen path. Following her comments, she shared a holiday snap with her best friend of 35 years, Craig Burton, celebrating their long-lasting platonic bond during a family holiday in France with twelve people.
