Carol Vorderman enjoyed one of the “greatest days” of her life last week. The former Countdown host and broadcaster was awarded the highest honour possible from the University of Cambridge.
Sharing a message about her time at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, Carol wrote on Instagram: “In 1978 I arrived aged 17, a free school meals kid from a comprehensive in Rhyl, North Wales. Those things just didn’t happen back in 1978.
“I went there to study engineering, and that opportunity changed everything that followed in my life. To now be made an Honorary Fellow feels as though my life has truly come full circle.”
She added: “I’ll work hard to promote the aims and welfare of the college, including my privilege to help other young people from backgrounds like mine to see that they too can come to Cambridge and thrive.”
Carol spoke about her mum and the pride she would have felt. She told followers: “My mum would have been bursting with pride on Friday. We came from nothing financially with no “contacts” in academia, and even though she passed away in 2017, I felt her right there beside me. She’d have loved every second.”
To celebrate the occasion, Carol shared a photo with her son Cameron and a separate one with Martin Burton, the current Master of Sidney Sussex College.
Carol, from North Wales, finished the personal update saying: “We had a wonderful dinner, full of laughter, stories and memories. From now on, I am officially a jolly good fellow.”
After the special update, Carol was sent plenty of messages of congratulations. Gogglebox star Ellie Warner wrote: “Congratulations Carol, well deserved and a true inspiration for working-class women.”
Denise Welch joked: “All because you have your five a day” alongside a laughing face emoji and hockey gold medallist Sam Quek commented “Only for the best! Congratulations top bird.”
Other messages came from Leanne Campbell, who responded with clapping emojis and ITV’s Dr Amir Khan, who said: “Brilliant and well deserve.”
Carol has faced health challenges recently, having experienced burnout last year, which necessitated a break from her intensive TV and radio commitments. In a video posted last month from Prestatyn beach, she shared: “I’m back in my old hometown of Prestatyn in North Wales. It’s an absolutely beautiful day, the sun has come out to welcome its wayward daughter home.”
A fan named Wesley encouraged her to keep her followers updated, commenting “we’ve missed your posts”. Responding to the concern, Carol revealed she had been “poorly for most of this year” but reassured that she’s now on the mend. She said: “I’m back in good health now – so much more to come.”