CAROL VORDERMAR.

CAROL grew up in North Wales, but was born in Bedfordshire. Her father was Dutch and her parents split up three weeks after she was born.

Her mother Edwina Davies took the family back to Prestatyn to live in a flat left them by Carol's great grandfather Daniel Davies, a local butcher. Carol's sister, Trixie, still lives locally.

Carol possibly got at least some of her brains from her father's side - her great grandfather Adolphe Vorderman played a key role in the discovery of vitamins.

But there was no shortage of talent among her relatives in North Wales, either.

Prestatyn historian Fred Hobbs, now, 88, has lived in the town all his life. He knew Carol's great grandfather Daniel Davies, who came originally from Llangynhafal but later moved to Prestatyn. He was a true countryman - butcher, slaughterman, champion ploughman, pigeon shooter and talented billiards player.

Fred recalled seeing Daniel standing, his chest puffed out, on the steps of his shop back in the 1920s. "He used to hang his animals under a tree in the street," remembers Fred.

Being good at business ran in the family, says Fred.

Carol comes back to North Wales about once a year but now lives in Bristol with her children Katie and Cameron.

She has reduced her workload this year but still loves her role presenting the Pride of Britain awards which salute the country's unsung heroes.