Air Force Huns? Branson responds to Greg James appeal for space mission

Sir Richard Branson has responded to BBC Radio 1's Greg James' bid for an "Air Force Hun" mission to create a British version of the all-female flight that sent pop star Katy Perry to the edge of space.

The Firework singer was one of six women on Monday's 11-minute space flight, organised by billionaire Amazon owner Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin.

Inspired by a listener texting in, Greg floated the idea of a UK equivalent called Air Force Hun with British billionaire Sir Richard, using his company Virgin Galactic.

The presenter suggested it be crewed by Gemma Collins, Alison Hammond, Carol Vorderman, Natalie Cassidy and Denise Welch.

And during the Radio 1 Breakfast show, the businessman got in touch with Greg to suggest starting with an "astronaut experience" for the crew.

He revealed Sir Richard followed him on Instagram and responded positively when he sent a message pitching the space flight, though he stopped short of committing to a full space mission.

The reply, according to Greg was: "As we embark on these giant leaps for hunkind, why don't we first start with an astronaut experience for you all while we continue to reach for the stars."

BBC Newsbeat has contacted Sir Richard's representatives for further comment.

Reality star Gemma "might be claustrophobic, Darren", but since Sir Richard's response that might be the only thing stopping her blasting to the edge of space.

Speaking to Radio 1, she says she is "ready to go to space".

"I'd like to see if there's aliens really up there and I'd also like to make an absolute fortune out of it.

"The only thing I'm worried about is I'm claustrophobic," she adds. "I'm totally claustrophobic."

As for her proposed crew mates, Gemma says she "couldn't think of a better five women to go".

Listeners suggested she be accompanied by Great British Bake Off presenter Alison, Countdown legend Carol, EastEnders actress Natalie, and Loose Women panellist Denise.

"We are the ultimate huns and we all need to go to space," Gemma says. "We would have such fun."

Carol says going to space has always been a dream of hers and she'd definitely be up for being on board.

"When I was growing up, it was the first Apollo missions," she says.

"Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landing on the moon was the biggest thing to happen in my primary school years and I always wanted to be an astronaut.

"And then I realised when I got to the age of going to uni and I was a free school meals kid and I thought, well I'm not American and I'm a woman so I've got no chance."

But it drove her to pursue an engineering degree and now Carol even has a pilot's license.

Carol says if she goes to space it might create some family friction as her daughter, scientist Katie King, founded a company that uses the conditions in space to help manufacture drugs.

"She's proper clever," says Carol.

"You've got Carol who can actually fly a plane, I can fly a kite," says Alison, adding: "I am ready for Air Force Huns".

"I think this could become serious," the presenter says. "It starts off as a joke but this could actually be real.

"I'm gonna be nervous, I might have a little bit of a panic attack, but absolutely I'm in."

Monday's Blue Origin flight was fully autonomous, meaning it did not need pilots to fly the six women more than 100km (62 miles) above Earth, to the Karman line - widely recognised as the boundary of space.

The crew, which included Bezos's fiancée Lauren Sánchez and CBS presenter Gayle King alongside Katy Perry, experienced a few moments of weightlessness during the 11-minute flight.

However critics have questioned the environmental cost of sending celebrities to space.

There has also been backlash from some scientists as well as celebrities like reality star Vicky Pattinson and model and actress Emily Ratajkowski.

"This isn't feminism," Vicky said on Instagram after the launch.

"I don't think we need to see a bunch of uber rich women fired into space... for five minutes," she wrote.

"When I think of all the things this money could have been used to do, I honestly feel ashamed."

Emily said on TikTok the mission was "beyond parody", adding there was a "very small group of people who are interested in going to space for the sake of getting a new lease on life while most people on planet Earth are worried about paying rent".

The cost of the flight has not been disclosed, however a $150,000 (£114,575.85) deposit is required to reserve a seat.