Monday, 8 October 2007

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Carol Vorderman revamps her life

Death of Richard Whiteley inspires Countdown presenter

Carol Vorderman has transformed her life since the death of Countdown host Richard Whiteley.

‘We’ve moved to Bristol and completely changed our lives,’ she says of her decision to leave London with children Katie, 15, and Cameron, 10.

‘It’s a new beginning. I’ve cut right down on work, I take more holidays… I’m happily single, not looking for anyone. I’m loving being with my children.’

The changes were inspired by the death of her close friend Richard in 2004 and the recent break-up of her marriage to journalist Des Kelly.

‘Richard’s death was definitely the catalyst for all this,’ she tells the Daily Express.

‘I still can’t believe he’s not here. When he died, Richard was 61 and I was 44. I became aware of my own mortality.

‘I write poetry. I don’t show it to anyone but I wrote one called Just 20 Summers, about how short a time we have left after a certain age.

'I wanted to get my priorities straight, rediscover what I wanted in life and to enjoy it more.’

Phil Boucher