Carol Vorderman, 65, says she is ‘invited all around the world’ to see her ‘special friends’ as she discusses long-term casual relationships

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Carol Vorderman has opened up about having casual relationships, revealing she’s often invited to travel and stay with her partners around the globe.

Carol Vorderman, 65, has always been honest about her relationships and prefers dating multiple people. She says the idea of being with just one person all the time is her biggest fear.

On Tuesday, the presenter talked about her relationships while appearing on Vanessa Feltz’s show on Channel 5.

She participated in a day-long appearance on Channel 5, guest-starring on all of its daytime programs between 9:15 AM and 3:00 PM. It was playfully referred to as a ‘Vorderman take-over’.

When Vanessa asked Carol about the various men she’d dated instead of being in a single relationship, Carol explained that people had actually met her husband. She and her husband had been happily married with two children, but unfortunately, the marriage ended.

We were incredibly happy for a long time, but then things changed unexpectedly. As I entered my fifties, I realized I didn’t want the traditional settled-down life.

Now that my kids are grown and I’m financially secure, I have a wonderful life. I have close friends, a vibrant social life, and I love to travel and spend time with them. I’m lucky enough to be invited to stay with people all over the world, and that’s exactly what I do.

When Vanessa asked Carol if they were just friends with benefits, Carol agreed, saying that description felt more accurate.

I have a friend who’s currently in America. We’ve been friends for around eleven or twelve years, and even though we don’t get together often, we keep in touch constantly.

Things are different now. Society has evolved, and for the first time, we’re seeing a generation of women – those around my age – who have more financial freedom than their mothers did.

When I was younger, pubs often had separate rooms – one for women and one just for men. There weren’t as many options for socializing like cafes or book clubs. Nowadays, the biggest growth area in travel is people choosing to travel alone.

I’m really happy with my close-knit family and the amazing friends I have – that’s all I need. I’m not ruling anything out for the future, but I don’t feel like anything is missing from my life right now.

Earlier this month, Carol said she was now down to three ‘special friends’.   

She told cheekily Alan Carr on his Life’s A Beach podcast: ‘It’s down to three. Times are hard.’

Although she generally prefers keeping things casual, she doesn’t think short flings while on vacation are a good idea.

She explained that she distinguishes between a relaxing vacation and a romantic getaway, stating she doesn’t participate in the latter.

She said of her current arrangements: ‘It’s very different. They’re three like quite long term.’

Just last month Carol said she has no desire to settle down.

The television personality has been divorced twice and hasn’t been in a relationship since her split from journalist Des Kelly in 2007.

But she has no plans any time soon to be finding one man and settling down.

In a January interview with The Mirror, Carol stated she isn’t looking for a serious relationship at the moment, jokingly suggesting she might consider it when she’s 82 with someone much younger – a 45-year-old.

Carol criticized the pressure on women to rely on men for experiences like travel and enjoyment, stating that women absolutely do not need a partner to live fulfilling lives.

Supporting women isn’t about being against men; it’s about empowering women to pursue their goals and opportunities in the world.

Last year, Carol revealed she was in relationships with five different people, emphasizing that she prefers committed connections and avoids casual encounters.

Carol has said she prefers not to have casual one-night stands, but she does date several men, whom she playfully refers to as her ‘special friends’.

In a 2023 interview with You magazine, the celebrity explained that things were going smoothly because she wasn’t looking for a romantic relationship and doesn’t get jealous.

Carol stated that all of her partners are currently unattached, and she’s okay with them pursuing other relationships if they choose to.

She said with a laugh, ‘I’m still seeing those people, and things are going really well.’

She has five close friends, two of whom she’s known for eleven and seven years respectively. Her children, Katie, 31, and Cameron, 25, are familiar with most of them.

Carol enjoys the freedom and independence this arrangement provides. She’s okay with her partners wanting a more traditional, intimate relationship, as long as everyone is honest about their needs and they’re all enjoying themselves.

Everyone participating is currently unattached, and she believes in not getting in the way of others’ potential relationships. If anyone were to meet someone else, that would be perfectly acceptable.

Honestly, jealousy isn’t really my thing. I genuinely get happy for my friends when good things happen to them, no matter who they’re sharing those moments with. If they’re thriving, I’m thrilled – whether it’s with a romantic partner or just a close friend. Their happiness is enough for me!

My main goal isn’t finding romance; it’s simply to be happy. I’m naturally curious about people and enjoy experiencing life.

Eventually, you reach a point where you can focus on doing only the things you love. It’s hard to do that in your thirties when you’re building a career and answering to a manager. But by your sixties…

Carol has been married twice. She was first married to Christopher Mather from 1985 to 1986, and then to Patrick King from 1990 to 2000. Patrick King is the father of her two children.

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2026-03-18 04:04