Fearne Cotton shared 40 life lessons in honour of her 40th birthday today (3 September) in a post on her Instagram account.

The presenter was fresh-faced in a sunny morning selfie, which she posted alongside a list of 40 things she had learned through the years. The list includes what she is grateful for, things she loves, questions she still has and advice for others.

Fearne said she was “grateful to be headed into a new decade” but asked, “Is it ok that I still feel 18?...I think I’m meant to feel like a proper adult, but I don’t.”

What to read next

She admitted that she does “have regrets” but also said that, “the stuff that’s been the most painful in my life has been the stuff that connects me to others,” and that “being human is often hard.”

The star also revealed she hates “the taste of wine” as well as “g-strings and will forever wear big pants.”

Along with the things she doesn’t enjoy, Fearne’s list reveals those she loves, including music (“one of life’s greatest joys”), peanut butter sandwiches ("still superior to any other meal”), and art (“painting portraits makes me feel alive”).

Fearne ended her post by saying that her “happy place will always be the sea,” and concluded hopefully that, “40 might just be more than okay.”

Famous friends and many of Fearne’s 3.3 million followers extended their best birthday wishes by commenting on the post.

Actor Keeley Hawes wrote, “beautiful! Happy Birthday Fearne!” while reality star Gemma Collins told her, “honestly life begins at 40.”

As well as her career as TV presenter and radio DJ, Fearne has written a number of self-help books about happiness and finding your inner calm.

Happy: Finding joy in every day and letting go of perfect
Amazon Happy: Finding joy in every day and letting go of perfect
Calm: Working through life's daily stresses to find a peaceful centre
Orion Spring Calm: Working through life's daily stresses to find a peaceful centre
Now 22% Off
Quiet: Silencing the brain chatter and believing that you’re good enough
Orion Spring Quiet: Silencing the brain chatter and believing that you’re good enough
Now 18% Off
Speak Your Truth: The Sunday Times top ten bestseller
Amazon Speak Your Truth: The Sunday Times top ten bestseller
Now 54% Off