Carol Vorderman celebrates 25 years of Countdown - in trousers she wore on first show - Showbiz

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Clearly from the era that fashion forgot, Carol dug out the beige suedette trousers she wore on Channel's flagship quiz show, on the premiere episode which was broadcast on November 2, 1982.

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2007: Carol Vorderman celebrates the 25th anniversary of Channel 4's flagship show Countdown by wearing the beige suedette trousers she wore on the first show back in 1982

Amazingly, the svelte presenter was still able to get into the trousers, despite it being almost three decades since they were last worn.

However she admitted: "I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get into them - but luckily I just managed!"

Vorderman looked virtually unchanged from her 21-year-old self bar minor differences noticeable such as her rounded face, and her now sleek brunette locks which was at the time coiffed in a mumsy, bouffant style.

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1982: Maths whiz Carol looked fresh-faced and slightly mumsy when she first wore the trousers back in the 80s on Countdown

The teatime quiz was the first show to air on Channel 4 when it began broadcasting in 1982.

PM Gordon Brown has filmed a goodwill message for the show, jokily admitting he wished Carol could have helped with his sums when he was Chancellor.

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Celebration: The Countdown team, Carol and Des O' Connor, celebrate a successful 25 years. Des is the second host since the death of the much-loved Richard Whiteley. Des Lynam also took up hosting duties for a period

The Prime Minister said: "I want to congratulate Countdown on reaching 25 years on air. It's done more than any other programme to make counting and spelling fun and popular and is really good exercise for the mind."

Tributes also came from other famous fans, including Dame Julie Andrews, Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson and Terry Wogan.

The anniversary programme, hosted by Des O'Connor, 75, will be preceded on Channel 4 by a repeat of the first Countdown with original host, the late Richard Whiteley.

Sorely missed: Original Countdown host Richard Whiteley and friend and co-host Carol, pictured together in 2001