"From Celebrity Dates to Dinner with Richard Branson: My Glamorous Life as a Trolley Dolly in My 20s – Would I Do It Again?"

I TURNED 44 last week, which, according to Oprah, is when life really gets going. I don’t know about going. I’d say life has really been life-ing, but whaddaya do?

For my birthday gift, my best mate Michael surprised me with a trip abroad.

Lorna Luxe reveals that if what she’s doing now goes pear-shaped, she’ll take another crack at being a trolley dolly Credit: Mark Hayman Lorna met Brad Pitt on a flight as she spent her 20s as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic Credit: Getty

Before , John had told my friends to whisk me away whenever they got the chance.

The only instructions Michael has given me are: “Pack summery clothes and your passport.” It’s very in the spirit of John.

It’s exciting turning up at the airport with no idea where you’re going.

And I’m very at home in departures – I spent my 20s as cabin crew for .

I catch people’s faces sometimes when I say: “Back when I was a Virgin. . .” I mean the airline, obvs!

Being crew, past or present, makes you hyper-vigilant when you’re on a plane.

Pro tip: do not drink the tea or – the hot water tanks never get cleaned. I only guzzle out of a can or bottle when I fly, and I’ll skip the hot food, too.

Apparently they load meals up with extra salt and fat to keep them tasty in the sky. As if we’re not dehydrated enough.

Lorna when working as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic Lorna always loved it when Sir Richard Branson was on the plane as he was a great guy, and generous too Credit: PA I still look back fondly on my flying career, she adds Credit: Getty Being glam was a big part of the job, she says Credit: Getty

I’m also a pro at beating jet lag. I always set my watch to my destination’s time zone as soon as I can.

My body might think it’s bedtime, but I let my head override it so that I acclimatise way faster. I can also anywhere – a talent I learned in crew rest, where we got to kip between services on long-haul flights.

Of course, some passengers are more interested in joining the Mile High Club than sleeping, but I could never understand it, as those bathrooms are rank!

Being glam was a big part of the job. Before we boarded the plane, we’d be examined to check our was in a neat bun, our nails neutral or red and our lipstick the correct shade of red.

Many times, I had to do a smash-and-grab at the airport’s for a Revlon Fire & Ice lippy.

One thing I loved about working for an airline was the celeb-spotting.

I remember flying to Shanghai for the city’s first Grand Prix and , in the height of his Pop Idol fame, was on board.

For me, that was a way bigger deal than the – granted, I was 22 at the time. I think I still have a signed photo of Gareth somewhere.

I went on a date with a famous passenger once, too: a Mancunian who was pretty big in the ’90s – that’s all I’ll say. He was very sweet and we had a giggle in , but I didn’t really fancy him. I think that’s what they call “doing it for the plot”.

I always loved it when Sir was on the plane. He would make a point of walking around the cabin to meet passengers – a great guy, and generous too.

Once I was flying him out to Johannesburg as he was meeting the Dalai Lama, and plus loads of stars were also on board. The crew were invited to a fancy dinner that night, but when I arrived, there was nowhere for me or my friend to sit.

Joan, Richard’s wife, made people move down the table for us. They always made you feel part of their family.

I still look back fondly on my flying career. And if for some reason what I’m doing now goes pear-shaped, maybe I’ll take another crack at being a trolley dolly.

• Follow Lorna on Instagram @Lorna .