Carol Vorderman took to her social media on Wednesday to share a very fond throwback to her younger days, where she revealed a career path she desperately hoped to have followed.
The Countdown host, 62, has been a familiar face on the UK showbiz scene for years, having reportedly earned £1 million per year during filming of the iconic Channel 4 show, making her one of the highest-earning women on British television at the time.
And the television host's successful career hasn't ended there, as she has gone on to appear on a host of TV shows including Loose Women and Lorraine, whilst also hosting a new radio show in Wales.
Mum-of-two Carol is currently starring in I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! All-Stars in South Africa and is expected to raked in a hefty pay packet for her appearance.
She has also not faired badly from writing books, with her best-seller Detox For Life reportedly earning her around £750,000 and her autobiography £100,000.
![](https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article29826455.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_CapturePNG.png)
But in what might be surprising to some, Carol didn't always hope to veer down the showbiz career path, and instead hoped to have flown down a very different route.
Revealing her hidden past time, she wrote: "National Pilot's Day.
"You might not know but I always and only ever wanted to be a fighter pilot. Sadly, you weren't allowed to be one when I was young unless you had a willy (male only) so I drifted through life and finally got my first Private Pilot's Licence when I was 52!!
"Anyway, I've been obsessed since. I did my 'first solo flight' live on air on @itv @thismorning, went on to get my Night Rating and then spent a while living in the States to get my Full Instrument Rating and my Multi Engine Rating."
Opening up on her hobbie which she hoped to turn into a career more, she revealed the empowering reason behind nicknaming her 'little plane' Mildred.
![](https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article29826403.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_CapturePNG.png)
"My first single engine plane was a DA40 which I called Sputts and my current little plane (which I haven't flown for a long time sadly... long story) is Mildred," she said.
"She's a beauty and is a twin engine DA42 and I call her Mildred, named after a female aviation pioneer back in the 1930s."
"Happy days. Happy Pilot's Day to all pilots xx #nationalpilotsday #pilotviews #pilotlife #pilotsofinstagram," she added.
I'm A Celebrity... South Africa continues 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here .
READ NEXT:
Carol Vorderman addresses claims she's having affair with Gareth Gates after Cheltenham chat
Carol Vorderman fuming at claims she 'cosied up' to Matt Hancock after blasting MP
Carol Vorderman reunited with famous Channel 4 Countdown clock
Carol Vorderman rocks 'Elvis look' as she enjoys day out at Sandown Races wowing fans
Carol Vorderman 'looking 25' as she gets back into fitness routine on Instagram