Bristol-based Carol Vorderman loves being 60. The celebrity, co-host at this year's Pride of Britain Awards, says her rebellious spirit prevails.
And she puts a "virtual middle finger" up to detractors who knock her dressing the way she wants to, the Mirror reports.
Carol, who made her name as a maths ace on TV quiz countdown, said: "I love being this age. I can’t be doing with people who aren’t nice and I’ve never cared what people think.
"I have totally embraced 60. You can use it as an excuse and say, “Oh well, it’s my age!” I adore it as I’m a cheeky bugger and mischievous. Mischief is my middle name and I do what I like."
READ MORE: Carol Vorderman opens up about son's bullying hell
"I’ve always been a bit of a rebel. I’ve never understood why people conform because society dictates it. I’ve always been a free spirit and questioned what the word “should” means.
"I was told you should get married at 20 because that’s what girls do.
"I said, “I’m not doing that,” and became an engineer.
"When I was 39 in 2000, I wore a short dress to the Baftas and the world went mad.
"The BBC did a whole show asking, 'Should a woman of 39 wear a dress above the knee?'
"I’ve always been all about the virtual middle finger in the air and I don’t know how to be any different.
"I still get it in the neck, though!
"The other day I posted a picture of myself in leggings and someone said 'A woman of 60 shouldn’t wear leggings'.
"But who said they shouldn’t? Someone commented they were “skin-tight” but I didn’t know they made leggings that weren’t!
"How outrageous!"
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards airs on ITV at 8pm on Thursday. (November 4)
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