You’re fired... into space: Bill set for Branson blast-off in 2013

Irish businessman and author Bill Cullen joined Richard Branson yesterday as the Virgin boss announced plans for the Virgin Galactic space tourism programme.

Cullen, 70, was the first to sign up for a trip into space, paying his $200,000 in 2004.

With typical flair, Branson announced he and his children would be the first passengers when the programme begins. The Virgin boss and son Sam and daughter Holly are expected to be flying 60 miles into orbit on the SpaceShipTwo (SS2) aircraft by the end of next year.