Dressing the part! Carol Vorderman slips into a pilot's uniform to meet young cadets at world's largest air show 

By Jennifer Smith for MailOnline

Published: 12:29 EST, 17 July 2015 | Updated: 14:38 EST, 17 July 2015

She's a qualified pilot with ambitions of flying solo around the world. 

And Carol Vorderman looked every inch the professional as she greeted young air cadets at The Royal International Air Tattoo on Friday. 

The 54-year-old dressed her famous curves in a traditional pilot's uniform complete with a cap and tie. 

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Looking the part: Carol Vorderman wore a pilot's uniform to greet young air cadets at The Royal International Air Tattoo on Friday 

Looking the part: Carol Vorderman wore a pilot's uniform to greet young air cadets at The Royal International Air Tattoo on Friday 

Showing off her newly dyed blonde locks, Carol was the guest of honour at the event which is the world's largest air show. 

Carol, who gained her licence in Gloucestershire in 2013 after undertaking a number of courses, is an ambassador for the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.  

Sharing her excitement ahead of the event on Thursday, she posted a video of their skills with her 330,000 Twitter followers. 

Giving pointers: Carol looked deep in thought as she spoke with the cadets at the event on Friday 

Giving pointers: Carol looked deep in thought as she spoke with the cadets at the event on Friday 

Taking it in: The 54-year-old laughed as she greeted the cadets at the show in Fairford, Gloucestershire
The television personalty chatted eagerly with cadets at the event

Taking it in: The 54-year-old laughed as she greeted the cadets at the show in Fairford, Gloucestershire

Professional: Carol chatted to a number of cadets and captains at the show which is the world's largest 

Professional: Carol chatted to a number of cadets and captains at the show which is the world's largest 

'So proud to be your Ambassador, see you tmrw (sic)' she gushed. 

After leaving her famous role on Countdown in 2008, Carol set her sights on achieving her pilot's licence in order to fulfill her dream of flying solo around the world. 

Speaking in 2013 following her final exam, the Cambridge graduate said: 'I'm a pilot! I'm a pilot! I've done it at last. I've wanted to do this all my life.

Time for a selfie: One show-goer tried his best to pose for a photograph with Carol beside an aircraft 

Time for a selfie: One show-goer tried his best to pose for a photograph with Carol beside an aircraft 

In control: The 54-year-old takes to a computer to simulate flight at the air show, removing her pilot's hat to show off her newly-dyed blonde locks 

In control: The 54-year-old takes to a computer to simulate flight at the air show, removing her pilot's hat to show off her newly-dyed blonde locks 

Strike a pose: Carol pulls a pained expression as she poses for a selfie with another young fan at the event 

Strike a pose: Carol pulls a pained expression as she poses for a selfie with another young fan at the event 

'I love my maths and when I got into Cambridge I thought that would be my best chance at becoming a pilot.

'But the RAF didn't take women then. British Airways then stopped their training programme and I ended up in a frozen peas factory.

'Then, of course, there was Countdown. When you are working six or seven days-a-week, it has never really been possible - until now.' 

Special guest: The former Countdown starlet is an ambassador for the Royal Air Force Cadets and was among guests of honour at the event on Friday 

Special guest: The former Countdown starlet is an ambassador for the Royal Air Force Cadets and was among guests of honour at the event on Friday 

Comfort zone: Carol, a Cambridge graduate, previously told of long-held ambitions to become a pilot 

Comfort zone: Carol, a Cambridge graduate, previously told of long-held ambitions to become a pilot 

Later she told of her ambition to fly solo around the world, following in the footsteps of Amelia Earhart. 

'It's been my dream for decades and if I don't do it now, I never will. I'm totally obsessed with flying,' she told The Daily Mirror. 

On Friday Carol joined scores of young air cadets at the Tattoo in Fairford, Gloucestershire. The air show runs until Sunday.  

Dream come true: The 54-year-old obtained her licence in 2013 after taking flying lessons in Gloucestershire 

Dream come true: The 54-year-old obtained her licence in 2013 after taking flying lessons in Gloucestershire 


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