VIDEO: Celebrity aviator Carol Vorderman at RAF College Cranwell

Celebrity aviator Carol Vorderman joined around 5,000 cadets from across the UK for a big celebration at RAF College Cranwell yesterday (Saturday).
Cadet Ethan Gray, from Boston, with Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman at RAF College Cranwell. Photo: David DawsonCadet Ethan Gray, from Boston, with Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman at RAF College Cranwell. Photo: David Dawson
Cadet Ethan Gray, from Boston, with Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman at RAF College Cranwell. Photo: David Dawson

Carol is best known to millions of television viewers as the former maths genius on Countdown.

As Ambassador to the RAF Air Cadets, Honorary Group Captain Vorderman attended an historic national parade and music extravaganza to mark the 75th anniversary of the cadets.

Among the cadets meeting Carol was Ethan Gray, who comes from Boston.

Cadet Ethan Gray, from Boston, with Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman at RAF College Cranwell. Photo: David DawsonCadet Ethan Gray, from Boston, with Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman at RAF College Cranwell. Photo: David Dawson
Cadet Ethan Gray, from Boston, with Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman at RAF College Cranwell. Photo: David Dawson

There were flypasts from the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – and the RAF Falcons dropped in to add to the celebrations.

It is 75 years since the formation of the Air Training Corps and several units of the Combined Cadet Force (RAF), collectively known as the RAF Air Cadets.

The day included a precision parade in front of College Hall, which involved 350 cadets in a spectacular hour-long drill ceremony.

Musically gifted youngsters then took to the stage for an extravaganza compered by “the voice of the X-Factor”, Peter Dickinson.

Top brass attending included the new Chief of the Air Force, Air Force Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, himself a former cadet.

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