Vorderman attacks Russell Brand

The Countdown presenter suggested the comic was a triumph of style over substance who hadn’t learned his craft like old-school comedians

And – in a phrase that’s been uttered by parents struggling to comprehend youth culture for decades – she moaned the she can’t tell if he’s a boy or a girl

Vorderman, 46, compared Brand unfavourably to Countdown host Des O’Connor and Ken Dodd, who are both in their 70s

‘They really had to learn the skills of being a comedian and stage work,’ she said. ‘Ken is one of the funniest men ever, yet in London media circles he’s not very cool, is he?

‘So what do you have? A swearing, strange person, not a hermaphrodite, but one of those you’re not quite sure what he is - Russell Brand. I don’t fancy him. I don’t know if he’s trying to be a boy or a girl.

Her comments came in an interview with Alex Belfield syndicated to BBC local radio stations and available as a podcast here.

Published: 12 Jan 2007