Carol Vorderman finds love with a tattooed builder as the new couple make their public debut two years after she split from toyboy
Carol, 56, beamed as she stepped out with her new 49-year-old boyfriend
CAROL Vorderman has found love with a tattooed younger builder.
The 56-year-old television presenter, who is known for her colourful love life, is dating Cas Neill, 49, a toned divorcee with two full-arm tattoo sleeves.
The couple, who got together earlier this year, have just returned from a break in the south of France. They made their first formal public appearance together on Thursday night at a black tie gala hosted by Princess Anne.
The romance comes less than two years after she split from her on-off toyboy lover, pilot Graham ‘Duffy’ Duff, who is 14 years her junior.
Last night a friend of Miss Vorderman said: "Cas and Carol first met years ago after working together on a property project, but have always just been friends.
"It is still early days but they’re really good together, and are always laughing. Cas is completely laid back and relaxed which is exactly what Carol needs. He’s incredibly supportive, and totally happy to let Carol do her thing.
"More importantly, he knows all her friends and family and was an absolute rock when her mum recently passed away."
The couple stepped out together two nights ago at the Aerospace Bristol museum, of which the presenter is an ambassador.
Mr Neill wore a tuxedo, while a beaming Miss Vorderman was in a silver Herve Leger dress teamed with towering stilettos.
The builder, who owns a construction firm, is a regular gym goer and has the honed physique to match - while the former Countdown numbers expert is also a fitness fan.
Last year she was praised for the enviable figure she showed off in her swimsuit as a contestant on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Miss Vorderman – a previous winner of the Rear of the Year award – swore off relationships following the break-up of her romance with Red Arrows pilot Mr Duff, 42.
The Cambridge graduate, who herself has a pilot’s licence and is planning on flying solo around the world, said last July: "I’m happily single, freely independent and doing my own thing.
"I’m not opposed to going out with someone ten years younger, it’s acceptable. But Duffy was 14 years younger – that was a bit silly really."
Happily for Miss Vorderman her new 49-year-old beau falls perfectly into her acceptable age bracket. This latest romance has brought some much-needed happiness into her life a month after her mother Jean died of cancer at the age of 88.
Miss Vorderman’s first marriage, at the age of 24 to Royal Navy officer Chris Mather, ended after just a year.
In 1990, she wed Patrick King, with whom she had her two children Katie, 25, and Cameron, 20. She went on to have a seven-year romance with sports writer Des Kelly.
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