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Daily Mirror
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Zoe Delaney

Carol Vorderman shares heartbreaking reason she could 'never return' to home in Wales

Carol Vorderman has been paying tribute to her Welsh roots and given some insight into her relationship with the country where she spent the entirety of her childhood.

The maths whizz, 61, grew up in her mother's home town of Prestatyn, North Wales, before leaving in her early twenties and being told she "couldn't go back home" once she left.

In an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, the former Countdown star celebrated Welsh Valentine's Day and offered her followers and explained how she has reconnected with her "homeland" over the years.

Sharing a screenshot of one of her tweets with a similar message, the mum-of-two wrote: "Happy Welsh Valentine's Day. Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus.

"For some they say I love you (Dwi'n caru ti) to their beloved. For me I say I [love-heart emoji] you to my country."

Carol Vorderman and her late mum Jean (Rex Features)

As she discussed a "real and visceral longing for the homeland which grows ever stronger", the TV presenter revealed just why she spent so long away from her beloved Wales in the past.

"I grew up in Wales and only known Wales for my first 20 years and then my Mum left my stepfather (who I ADORED) and told me I couldn't go back home," the star told her 205,000 followers on Tuesday.

"So I didn't for a very long time. I had to block it out. This was before the Internet was even created. Only letters and sporadic phone calls kept us in touch with family back then. Now I'm there half of the year at least and growing."

The TV presenter, her late mother and other family members prior to Jean's death (Twitter)

Carol concluded her patriotic post with: "HOME. CYMRU. LOVE."

The comments were disabled but the star's homage to Wales racked up over 600 likes within six hours of posting.

Although born in Bedford, Bedfordshire, Carol and her two older siblings relocated to North Wales three weeks after the star's birth following their Welsh mother Edwina Jean Davies' split from their father Anton Voderman.

The Cambridge University graduate didn't reconnect with her father again until she was 42.

Carol spent a long time caring for her mother prior to her death (Twitter)

After many years of caring for her, Carol sadly lost mum Jean in 2017 after her fourth battle with cancer.

Following her mother's death, the TV presenter found herself drawn back to the country where she spent her formative years.

“From the age of 21, I’d loved looking after Mum. I employed her full-time from when I was 25. We always lived together," Carol confessed in the past.

"It’s taken time to come to terms with losing her."

She continued: "Now that Katie and Cameron are grown up, I realise this is the first time in my life I’ve had no responsibilities.

"It’s an amazing feeling of freedom. I’ve fulfilled my duties and earned the money, and looked after a lot of people.

"Now it’s about what I choose to do. I’m relaunching, re-engaging and ready for this incredible new chapter."

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