Carol Vorderman, 62, puts on a classy display at Cheltenham Ladies Day

Carol Vorderman, 62, looks classy in a tweed coat as she enjoys Cheltenham Ladies Day with her son Cameron, 26, – after the strict dress code was scrapped

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Carol Vorderman put on a classy display as she headed out to enjoy Ladies Day at Cheltenham Racecourse with her son Cameron, 26. 

The former Countdown presenter, 62, donned an elegant cape-like tweed jacket coat with a fur lining and added a belt for a formal look at the Gloucestershire venue. 

The festival has scrapped its strict dress code for the first time in its 200-year history – but Carol made sure to still bring glamour to the event as it moved into its second day on Wednesday. 

Carol looked like she was having a great time as she watched from the box with Cameron – who she shares with ex-husband Patrick King. He wore a coat and tie and black jacket.

She teamed the age-defying display with brown gloves and trousers, as well as swede knee-high boots. 

Chic display: Carol Vorderman put on a classy display as she headed out to enjoy Ladies Day at Cheltenham Racecourse with her son Cameron, 26

Family: Carol looked like she was having a great time as she watched from the box with Cameron – who she shares with ex-husband Patrick King

More relaxed: Cheltenham Festival has scrapped its strict dress code for the first time, meaning dresses are no longer a requirement

She embraced the more relaxed dress code but still kept her look dressed up with her honey tresses in a typically perfectly-styled blow-dry and a glam make-up palette with a smokey-eye. 

She opted for a palette of neutral tones, wearing a furry bag and smart hat in muted colours.

Ladies Day is when guests typically put together their most fashionable ensembles for a stylish day out. 

The historic society event, which dates back to the early 19th century, has unveiled a new ‘inclusive’ dress code this year, which organisers hope will make spectators feel ‘confident and at-ease’ for their visit.

This means dresses, heels and hats are no longer mandatory, as organisers hope to attract a younger crowd to the venue, welcoming jeans and trainers. 

In the past, entry into some enclosures has required the wearing a jacket and tie while wearing trainers has also been frowned upon. 

The announcement comes at a time when racecourse are battling to stem a fall in attendances. 

Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive at The Jockey Club, said last month: ‘Horseracing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds and it’s really important to us to be accessible and inclusive. 

‘We hope that by no longer placing an expectation upon people of what they should and shouldn’t wear we can help highlight that racing really is for everyone.

‘For those who visit our venues, a day at the races is all about spending quality leisure time with friends and family and we believe people enjoy themselves best when they feel relaxed. A major part of that is wearing clothing which you are comfortable in.

Son: Cameron wore a coat and tie and black jacket as he stood beside Carol and watched all the action

Group: They were joined by a group of friends in the box including fellow ITV star Laura Tobin (right)

Clapping: Carol looked like she was having a great day at the races

Age-defying: The former Countdown presenter, 62, wore flawless make-up with a smokey eye as she dazzled at the races

Stepping out: Despite the more relaxed rules, Carol brought a sense of glamour to the Gloucestershire venue

Waving: She teamed her outfit with a pair of knee-high suede boots, a smart hat and furry bag

Fun times: Cheltenham Festival has scrapped their strict dress code for the first time in their 200 year history in a bid to encourage a younger crowd (pictured: Malinello ridden by Daryl Jacob ahead of the Follow MansionBet For Festive Prizes Novices’ Hurdle)

‘While The Jockey Club has a rich heritage and history it is also a forward-thinking organisation which places a great emphasis on diversity and inclusion and always seeks to reflect modern trends.

‘So, when we reviewed this area of the raceday experience, it has been clear to us that enforcing a dress code seems rather outdated in the 21st Century in the eyes of many of our racegoers.

‘Of course that doesn’t mean we are discouraging people from dressing up for a day at the races if they want to. This is about giving people a choice and the opportunity to come racing dressed however they feel most comfortable and confident, while also bearing in mind the challenges regularly presented by the British weather.’

Carol was picture chatting to Gareth Gates at the Festival the day before. 

Far from finding herself in a social conundrum, the former Countdown host appeared to be in high spirits as she enjoyed some light-hearted banter with Gareth Gates. 

The bearded ex-Pop Idol winner, 38, joined Carol at the Gloucestershire venue after placing his bets and making his way into the stands ahead of the first race. 

Carol highlighted her gorgeous curves with a grey corset and tight leather skirt as she attended the annual event. 

She put on a busty display in a white shirt to complete the look and stayed warm with a cropped fur jacket over the top and gloves. 

The beauty wore a black fascinator and toted a brown leather handbag while shielding her eyes from the sun with huge stylish shades. 

Banter: Carol was in good company as she attended the first day Festival on Tuesday


Hitting it off: Far from finding herself in a social conundrum, the former Countdown host appeared to be in high spirits as she enjoyed some light-hearted banter with Gareth Gates

Stunning: Carol Vorderman highlighted her gorgeous curves as she made a glamorous appearance at Cheltenham Festival Day One on Tuesday

Work it: The Countdown star, 62, accentuated her hourglass shape with a grey corset which she wore with a tight leather skirt

Carol wore her honey tresses in perfectly styled waves over her shoulders and opted for a typically bronzed makeup look as she stepped out.

The outing comes after Carol was reunited with the famous Countdown clock, having appeared on the game show for 26 years from 1982 until 2008 this month.

Posing alongside the well-known centrepiece, Carol flashed a smile and put her arm on the clock.

Highlighting her famous curves, she looked gorgeous in a leopard print top and skintight black leather trousers. 

Sharing the pictures with her Instagram followers, she wrote: ‘Awwwww look what greeted me at @channel4 HQ this morning with a big smile on its clock face…… awwwww.’

Carol continued: ‘Happy days indeed… I’ve danced to that music tens of thousands of times over the years…..lols.’ 

Carol joined the Channel 4 show for its very first episode in 1982, when she was only 21 years old.

Her mother had submitted an application on behalf of her after seeing a newspaper advert for ‘a woman with good mathematical skills’.

Confident: She also took to Instagram to show off the look that was completed with chunky lace up boots

Outfit: She put on a busty display in a white shirt to complete the look and stayed warm with a cropped fur jacket over the top and gloves

Ensemble: The beauty wore a black fascinator and toted a brown leather handbag while shielding her eyes from the sun with huge stylish shades

Radiant: Carol wore her honey tresses in perfectly styled waves over her shoulders and opted for a typically bronzed makeup look as she stepped out

In good spirits: She couldn’t stop beaming as she strolled around the racing venue with a female companion

Despite her young age, Carol was brought onto the show and appeared alongside Richard Whiteley until his death in June 2005.

She then carried on alongside Des Lynam then the late Des O’Connor.

The show is now presented by Colin Murray, assisted by Rachel Riley, with resident lexicographer Susie Dent.

Carol previously reflected on her 26 years on the programme as she shared a throwback video alongside a lengthy caption. 

Commanding attention: She looked like she was enjoying the day out at the races as she posted on social media


Curves: She also posted a clip as she wiggled her bottom in the tight skirt before revealing the front of her outfit

Wiggle: In the slow motion video posted to her Instagram grid she did the cheeky dance as a pal filmed

Vision in orange: Georgia Toffolo was also present at the festival looking incredible in an orange coat with a faux fur hem

She wrote: ’39 years ago today I started on the telly with my beloved Richard Whiteley on Countdown as the first ever show broadcast on the new channel 4.

‘I was 21. We had 23 cheeky, happy, laughing years together until he died. The clock stopped too soon and I still miss him

‘We were so excited about the 1st show 1982. I had a proper job then & Countdown was an extra.

‘We never thought it would last beyond the 8 weeks it was booked for! I was paid £20 a show which was a fortune to me. Richard & I worked hard. I made 5,000 shows over 26 years.’

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