Virgin Atlantic signs exclusive deal with podcast Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did

Independent British podcast Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did has signed an exclusive deal with airline Virgin Atlantic, which will see passengers enjoying a nostalgia fest while in the air.

The celebrity interview show that chats with the stars of much-loved TV, film and music of the 1980s-2000s and explores how their lives unfolded after, joins the hundreds of hours of movie, TV and music content on Virgin Atlantic’s in-flight entertainment system, Vera.

Launched last July and made by former BBC entertainment editor and journalist Genevieve Hassan, Celebrity Catch Up hit number 1 in the UK Apple TV/Film podcast charts earlier this year after just 12 episodes.

It has topped the Apple charts in many of the 110+ countries where it’s listened to and has been recommended by Great British Podcasts, UK national newspaper The Guardian and PodBible - as well as securing a coveted spot on Apple’s New & Noteworthy list.

Recent guests include actor Nick Frost, Bohemian Rhapsody director Dexter Fletcher, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Succession star Alan Ruck, Luke Goss, Fresh Prince of Bel Air actress Karyn Parsons and British pop icons Steps.

“I’m so excited more than 5 million annual Virgin Atlantic passengers will have the opportunity to hear my podcast at 30,000 feet!” Genevieve said.

“As a first-time, solo independent podcaster with no funding or sponsorship, I was so proud to disrupt the field of multiple celebrity-fronted podcasts and big established names to top the charts.

“Now I feel very honoured the Virgin Atlantic Vera team has chosen my podcast to include on their in-flight entertainment - and I hope it inspires and encourages other independent podcasters to keep taking on the big boys.”

Virgin Atlantic’s Cathy Walters added: “We are one of the few airlines that curate our in-flight entertainment every month, with hours of movies, TV, music and hidden gems chosen by our team of in-house experts.

“When we heard Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, we thought it was a great fit with Virgin Atlantic and its values. Like the podcast’s beginnings, we started out as a challenger brand and disrupted the market.

“The podcast is great fun with interviews that are also heartfelt, thought-provoking and sometimes stray into the controversial. I’m sure our customers will enjoy their nostalgic stroll down memory lane while on board.”

A select number of episodes will be made available on flights from 1 October 2021, while passengers can listen to all three seasons at celebritycatchup.com or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and all major platforms.