Television presenter Carol Vorderman has shared a candid account of her battle with burnout in 2024, revealing how the demanding pace of her media and political activities took a toll on her health and led to a necessary break.
During an interview with James O’Brien on his Full Disclosure podcast, Carol spoke openly about the intense strain she experienced after the general election last year. At 64, she described how her commitments across television and radio, as well as her determined efforts to influence political change, pushed her to a breaking point.
“I am feeling fantastic now,” Carol told listeners. “But last September, I hit burnout hard. I was working like a machine to help get the Tories out. On the day of a live event for my book, I thought I was having chest pains and had to check myself into a hospital. Thankfully, scans showed I was physically fine, but the consultant told me, ‘It’s just burnout, Carol. You have to stop.’”
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Carol credited her children, Katie and Cameron King, with encouraging her to prioritise her health. “My kids were fierce with me about it,” she said, explaining how their concern played a crucial role in her decision to step back.
Following her diagnosis, Carol left her LBC radio show and took extended leave to focus on recovery. She had already stepped down from her BBC Radio Wales programme the previous year. Now revitalised, she has returned to the spotlight with renewed energy.
Carol recently joined Channel 5’s Celebrity Puzzling alongside Jeremy Vine. Known for her sharp mind, she admitted that while she initially aimed to be gracious, her competitive nature soon took over. “After about half an hour, the genteel lady aspect went out of the window. I’m very competitive,” she said.
Alongside her media work, Carol continues to engage actively in political discourse. She has voiced strong opinions on the rise of Reform UK and expressed disappointment with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s approach. “I don’t understand why they keep getting it wrong,” she told HuffPost. “Own your mistakes. Why keep making the same ones?”
Carol Vorderman remains a prominent figure in both entertainment and politics, balancing her passions with a newfound focus on health and wellbeing. She will also appear on Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel on BBC One on Saturday, July 19, at 6.30pm.