Carol Vorderman

Presenting team Richard Whiteley, Cathy Hytner, back row, second right, and Carol Vorderman, far right, with dictionary corner guests Kenneth Williams, front left, and Ted Moult and two contestants on the first series of Countdown in 1982 Photograph: ITV /Rex Features

The year is 1984, and a 23-year-old Carol models all the latest trends at the numbers board, complete with ultramarine clothing, plastic jewellery and Myra Hindley hair Photograph: ITV /Rex Features

Fun for all the family on Countdown, as Gyles Brandreth, far left, and Richard Stilgoe, far right, compete in the World's Worst Novelty Jumper championships. Meanwhile, Carol channels the nation's then lady Prime Minister, with extreme shoulder pads and highly-coiffed hair Photograph: ITV/Rex Features

Carol gets out her dark side as Cher in 'Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes' Photograph: ITV/Rex Features

Carol gets down to earth with the builders - complete with diamonds and silk gloves - as presenter of the BBC's 'Better Homes' Photograph: ITV/Rex Features

Carol and Matthew Kelly snuggle up with a pup on 'Give a Pet a Home' Photograph: ITV/Rex Features

Her face says it all: Carol shows that she too is a lean, mean fighting machine with Lennox Lewis, left, and Chris Eubank on 'Star Lives' in 2001 Photograph: ITV/Rex Features

Standing the test of time: Carol and Richard Whiteley were synonymous with Countdown for more than 20 years Photograph: Channel 4

Carol graduates with a third-class degree in engineering from Cambridge, and a perm to be proud of Photograph: Rex Features

Carol brings out her inner vamp to greet new host Des Lynam after Richard Whiteley's sudden death in 2005. Lynam quit the show after 18 months Photograph: Channel 4

Carol with Countdown's third host Des O'Connnor - who has also recently announced he is leaving the show - as they toast Channel 4's 25th anniversary in 2007 Photograph: PA