Carol Vorderman has opened up about her chronic rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis in 2024, which left her unable to walk and in considerable pain. The 65-year-old television presenter, best known for her role on Countdown, is set to co-host the 27th Pride of Britain Awards on ITV this Thursday, October 22.
Chronic rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis
In 2024, Vorderman's health took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with chronic rheumatoid arthritis. She had been given travel vaccinations for a journey to Thailand before her condition deteriorated.
Speaking about her experience, Vorderman said: "I can't prove that they caused it. My hands doubled in size. I couldn't walk. I literally couldn't move anything without crying in pain."
She added: "I was on steroids probably for about eight months, and now I'm on another medication for the rest of my life. That's hard because I've always prided myself on being healthy. It was as much as I could do to look out of the window and think, 'I hope one day I'll be able to walk without pain again.'"
Vorderman has since revealed that finding the right medication was a lengthy process, and she no longer takes her well-being for granted. She recently told The Mirror: "You become much more conscious of your overall health. Your priority list changes."
"It was a big shock to the system, and that's why I have every sympathy for people with chronic pain. I just don't know how they live with it. It's just depressing."
Menopausal depression
In her mid-50s, Vorderman suffered a severe phase of depression and anxiety during the menopause. Speaking on the Postcards from Midlife podcast, she revealed she experienced deeply troubling thoughts despite having "nothing wrong" in her life.
She commented: "When I went through it, I had severe depression for about six months. I think it was 2015."
"There was nothing wrong in my life, I had made a lot of money, my kids were fine, my mum was fine. There was no problem. And yet I would wake up in this huge bed in this huge house, I've got a swimming pool outside and all of that, and I just thought, 'What's the point?'"
"I understand much more now about clinical depression, where you go, 'I can't go through this again, how can I make this stop', and those thoughts of 'well, there is obviously one way to make this stop.'"
This is not the first time Vorderman has discussed her mental wellbeing during the menopause. She previously detailed her ordeal on This Morning as part of their Menopause Bus, saying: "I had hormonal depression for a while during the perimenopause. It was horrific to the point of feeling suicidal. I've never even had anxiety in my life before, other than for a specific reason."
After being prescribed bio-identical hormones, the depression lifted within 48 hours, and she has not experienced those feelings since.
Heartbreaking death of her mother
In 2017, Vorderman's mother Jean passed away aged 88 after battling terminal cancer. The 65-year-old announced the news on social media, writing: "Some days are tough, today was one of them. Today was my amazing Mum's funeral... Rest in Peace, Jean Vorderman. You will always be loved."
Vorderman has spoken candidly about her close bond with her mother, with whom she always shared a home. She has also revealed how instrumental Jean was in supporting her career, recalling that it was her mum who submitted her job application for Countdown before she landed the position.
Discussing her mother previously, she said: "From the age of 21, I'd loved looking after Mum. I employed her full-time from when I was 25. We always lived together. It's taken time to come to terms with losing her. Now that Katie and Cameron are grown up, I realise this is the first time in my life I've had no responsibilities."
The Pride of Britain Awards are available to watch on Thursday, October 22 on ITV from 8pm.
