Carol Vorderman beams in the cockpit as she marks 9 years since first solo flight

Carol Vorderman couldn't stop beaming as she marked nine years since her first solo flight after training as an amateur pilot.

The telly favourite shared a series of snaps on Instagram to celebrate the milestone, saying it was the happiest days she's had.

Carol spent two years training to earn her wings and the star's first flight alone was documented on This Morning back in 2013 as she made TV history.

The showcase was the first of its kind as she wanted to make the powerful statement that women could be pilots - and at any age.

Her #GirlsFlyToo statement drew plenty of praise as she inspired others not to be held back. She was pictured posing in the cockpit in the first snap before the former Countdown brainbox took to the skies.

It's nine year since Carol Vorderman created TV history (instagram.com/carolvorders)

She took to the skies for a live solo flight and showed no fear (instagram.com/carolvorders)

The 61-year-old then showed us some of the telly images from that day - including her on the controls looks a little anxious.

But she needn't had worried - the flight was faultless as she wowed audiences across the UK.

Carol spoke to This Morning hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford live before taking off, saying: "I'm about to do my first solo in this plane and it'll be the first time I will have taken off, gone around an airfield and landed all by myself without an instructor by my side."

She defiantly captioned the throwback shots: "NINE YEARS AGO TODAY.

Back in 2013 she showed that woman - of any age - can become pilots if they want to (instagram.com/carolvorders)

She marked the moment by remembering back to the moment she completed her mission (@carolvorders/Instagram)

"My first solo flight as a pilot was 9 years ago today. It's such a big thing to every pilot. The first time you take control of a plane without your instructor in the cockpit to get you out of trouble.

"Just you and your aircraft and air traffic control on the radio.

"For mine...I wanted to make a statement about #GirlsFlyToo and how it's never too late to follow your heart.

"I was 52 back then. I had only ever really wanted to be a @royalairforceuk fighter pilot or an astronaut when I was growing up , but those things were illegal for girls in the UK back then.

Carol has been sharing snaps of her time at a lavish health retreat in August (Instagram/ Carol Vorderman)

The presenter wowed fans with her toned abs (Instagram)

"So we did a world first and I made my first solo flight LIVE on telly on @thismorning. Loved it and something I will never forget forever

" @jennifalconer presented the piece for the show and my flying instructor Deb Ford did the commentary while I was in the air flying a circuit at 1000ft."

Alongside a set of hearts, she added: "Happiest of days."

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