A woman is hoping to turn her dream of becoming an air hostess into reality after appearing on national television.

Paula Williams, from Lower Stondon, featured on ITV’s Daybreak show last week after she was paid a surprise visit by former Westlife band member Kian Egan.

The pop star turned up on her doorstep and announced she would be a flight attendant for the day on a trip from London Heathrow to Los Angeles.

Paula’s daughter Jessica Sayner, who accompanied her mother on the five-day all expenses paid holiday to Los Angeles, had organised the surprise with Daybreak – which aired for the last time on Friday – as part of a series on rewarding amazing mothers by giving them their dream experience.

“I was absolutely gobsmacked when I saw Kian from Westlife on my doorstep,” said Paula.

“I could tell something strange was going on because I could see the shadow of a camera crew behind the glass door. I had been planning to go on a day trip with my daughter so it was a shock to see him at 6.30 in the morning.”

The 49-year-old was given one-on-one training by Air New Zealand staff prior to the journey across the Pond, which included handling the trolley, health and safety exercises and engaging with customers on the flight.

After encouragement from the Air New Zealand staff, Paula has applied to be an air hostess with the company and will find out in five weeks whether she has been successful.

She said: “Being a flight attendant is something I’ve always wanted to do. I was almost an air hostess years ago but then I got pregnant, and I decided I had to look after my children. I have applied again since, but I got down to the final and wasn’t taken on.

“The cabin crew all made me feel really welcome and I got on really well with them. I didn’t feel nervous at all while I was working with them and they said I was a natural. Hopefully now I will be able to fulfil by dream and become an air hostess after this amazing experience.”