The NBC sitcom Friends has maintained its streak of relatability as a timeless classic for its score of comfort binge and for its impeccable reflection of 90s America. However, its commitment to inducting several cameo roles ensured the touch of diversity that an all-encompassing series requires to grow its foothold. Amidst these crossovers, a major impetus of the UK soil came through Ross and Emily’s fling-turned-marital status. During this time, a cameo lead from the Virgin co-founder, Richard Branson, made way when the cast took a trip to the British Isles. 

Even though the scene remains fresh in the audience’s mind even today, thanks to Chandler and Joey’s infamous feud, the reason behind Branson’s feature could be a lesser-known fact.

The surprising reason behind Richard Branson’s guest appearance 

Ross might have tied the knot with more than one person on Friends, but his wedding with Emily deserves a special momentum. A wedding so full of bloopers could only be courtesy of the “Divorce Force”. However, moving ahead, this wedding also created a getaway reason for the cast and crew to London, making way for Richard Branson’s iconic ‘vendor’ feature during Joey and Chandler’s sight-seeing trip. Apparently, Branson landed the role after giving 75 first-class tickets on his Virgin Atlantic Airlines to the team.

This is also the same airline that Rachel uses to travel to London, catalyzing the infamous slip in Ross’s vow. But even more surprising than this is that Branson came immediately for the shot after meeting the Prime Minister of Israel. Therefore, he did not have enough time to read the script. As a result, the lines had to be scrapped while Joey and Chandler made their best efforts to prop him up for this impromptu shoot with back-and-forth deliveries. 

While the efforts left their imprints and made a space on the fans’ minds, here is what the scene in the feature was all about. 

Richard Branson’s cameo in Friends

Helen Baxendale might have chosen family over fame, but her time in Friends ultimately became one of the best sequences of the show’s delivery. Teeming with chaos and lighthearted moments, the two-part finale of season four welcomed the core members in the grandeur of UK soil. As newbies to the place, Joey and Chandler took a trip through the city of London, doing the essentially touristy things, making them cross paths with the Virgin co-founder, Richard Branson.

Branson was donning the character of a vendor selling Union Jack souvenir hats on a bridge. Although Chandler was a little embarrassed by his overall touristy energy, his demand to buy the hat rolled out a full-fledged war of words. While this feud was a pointer for the salesman to make his sales, what was surely shocking was how Branson made the touchdown to his skin of the salesman.

Did you know about the backstory of Richard Branson’s cameo role? Let us know in the comments below!