Carol Vorderman backs Kemi Badenoch for Tory leader - but not for the reason you'd think

Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman has given a surprise backing to Kemi Badenoch to be the next Tory leader.

The TV presenter, 63, who has been one of the most vocal critics of the Conservative Party, posted on X: "I hope Kemi Badenoch becomes the next Tory leader."

But, she quickly explained that the reason behind the supports was to keep the Tories out of office for another decade.

She added: "Why? Because she’s arrogant and condescending and will put off the majority of Tory voters who are left.

"That’ll mean Tories will be out of office for at least 10 years! Marvellous."

She posted the remarks with a clip of Badenoch speaking in Parliament and appearing to sarcastically lecture Labour's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner about her new role.

As it became clear Labour was going to win the General Election more than two weeks ago, Vorderman was among the first to toast their defeat.

Appearing on Channel 4’s live election coverage as the results were announced, she said: “Let’s get the party started, because they have gone.”

Her disdain of the party is cemented in a new book she has penned, to be published in September.

A synopsis on Amazon on the book "Now What?: On a Mission to Fix Broken Britain" by Carole Vorderman, it states: "Amidst a landscape of economic turmoil, eroding freedoms and deepening societal fractures, one thing is clear: Britain is in a mess.

"Instead of serving the common good, our politicians seem fixated on personal gain, while certain segments of the media only seek to divide us further. But who is responsible for this descent into chaos? And how can we hold these people to account?

"With her characteristic outspokenness and irrepressible sense of humour, Carol Vorderman here reveals the intricate web of influence responsible for our nation's unravelling.

"Part diary, part political manifesto, this is the story of how an old bird with an iPhone exposed the incompetence and lies of the Tory establishment, and inspired countless others to find their voice and stand up for what they believe in."

Vorderman's tweet has been viewed more than 850,000 times, with many posters congratulating her view.

However, one posted replied: "Sounds rather like you, we just wish you would shut up for ten years."

Another added: "Bitter little madam aren’t we Carol?"

Rishi Sunak remains Tory leader until his successor is chosen in the autumn.

Kemi Badenoch is the bookies current favourite to be selected as the party's next leader.

Others in the running are former Home Secretaries Priti Patel and Suella Braverman, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat and Victoria Atkins.