Quiz show legend Carol Vorderman taking over Channel 5 for a whole day

Countdown legend Carol Vorderman is taking over your TV this week. The star, famed for her mesmerising mathematical machinations on the long-running gameshow, is set to appear in a series of daytime shows on Channel 5 on Tuesday (March 17).

The 65-year-old will “take over” the channel from 9am to 3pm, featuring across the scheduled programming all morning, joining the likes of Jeremy Vine and Vanessa Feltz. Vorderman will kick off the day on broadcaster Vine’s eponymous debate show, before making her way on to Storm Huntley and Alexis Conran’s news programme later that morning.

She will then join Matt Allwright’s show, which also looks at the news stories of the day, before wrapping up her “takeover” on Feltz’s discussion-led chat show. Her run of appearances is in celebration of Vorderman’s return to Channel 5 in her role as team captain on quiz show Celebrity Puzzling, which sees stars put to the test with a series of puzzles and challenges.

During her appearances throughout the day, Vorderman will also be sharing information about the upcoming series of her new show and “giving viewers a taste” of what to expect.

“It will be great to chat about everything from the issues of the day to real-life stories and consumer topics, and of course to share a bit about Celebrity Puzzling,” she said. “I love a good puzzle, so I’m excited to give viewers a taste of what’s coming.”

Federico Ruiz, commissioner for Daytime at 5, said: “Carol is a broadcasting powerhouse and we’re really excited to have her taking over our daytime schedule. Each of our shows has its own unique personality and audience, from debate and current affairs to consumer issues and heartfelt stories.”

Ruiz added that viewers “will get to enjoy her trademark energy and sharp wit all day on 5”. Vorderman is known as the former co-host of Channel 4 game show Countdown, and has also appeared as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.

She also starred on ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016, and appeared on its all-star spin-off, titled I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, in 2023.

:: Vorderman will take over Channel 5 from 9.15am on Tuesday