It’s the final countdown for Carol

AFTER 26 years, more than 4,500 shows and countless vowels and consonants, Carol Vorderman finally hung up her chunky black marker and left Countdown.

The 47-year-old Cambridge graduate, who has been the show’s number queen since it first aired in 1982, marked her final appearance on Channel 4 yesterday afternoon.

Vorderman fought back the tears as she paid tribute to the show’s loyal fans.