BBC Radio 1 presenter Melvin Odoom has confessed to having a secret crush on none other than former I’m A Celebrity campmate Carol Vorderman. As he takes part in this year’s ITV show, Melvin has opened up about his love life to his fellow contestants.
His luxury item of choice, a pillow featuring Carol, raised eyebrows and sparked a conversation about his surprise celebrity crush. During Wednesday’s episode (November 20), Melvin revealed that he recently crossed paths with the former Countdown host at the Pride of Britain Awards but was too intimidated to approach her.
He admitted, “I was too shy to say hello that day.” N-Dubz singer Tulisa offered some advice, suggesting that a strong woman like Carol would appreciate a confident and direct approach.
She role-played a scenario where Melvin could ask Carol out, pretending to be the TV star, reports the Mirror. Melvin’s first attempt at asking Carol out was met with criticism from his campmates, who thought he was trying too hard.
He said: “Hello Carol, great work on Pride of Britain. Are you free on Saturday? ” Undeterred, Melvin tried again, this time saying: “You look sensational today, you’re actually glowing, has anyone ever said that? Listen, I’ve booked a restaurant for next week, it’s gonna be Thai food all expenses paid, I’m gonna send the cab to your house for about 8pm, I’ll see you there.”
Tulisa, visibly impressed, couldn’t stay seated and darted after him. Melvin later mused in the Bush Telegraph: “She could be watching this right now and be thinking, ‘I need myself a jungle man.'” Ambitiously, he also mentioned that if they were to tie the knot, he’d take on Carol’s surname.
Carol, who lives in Bristol, has indeed been tuning in – she made an appearance on the spin-off show I’m a Celebrity… Unpacked, where she divulged her impressions. The maths expert teased with a voice note sent into the show, remarking: “Melvin, I’m blushing redder than that leather red dress I’m wearing on your pillowcase. But I’ll be rooting for you all the way through, and see you on the other side.”
It would seem that upon leaving the jungle, Melvin might just discover a direct message waiting from Carol. Traditionally tight-lipped about his love life, the speculation is that Melvin remains single.
In a candid YouTube interview, he shared his thoughts: “Dating is hard. For me, don’t shut yourself off from anything because your potential partner could be anywhere. You have to chill and go with the flow, you can’t control love.”