Justin Bieber to blast into space on Christmas Day. But will he stay there?

So let's just make the assumption that most of you cool kids reading these here irreverant entertainment.ie pages (not to blow our own trumpets or anything) are NOT fans of Justin Bieber. Or if you are you're sure as hell not about to admit it. I've no qualms in shaking my shoulders to some of his undeniably catchy, produced-to-jaysus songs, but as a person, he's just one of those types you'd like to punch square in the face. Do I need a reason? Um, no.

Anyhoo, the 19 year old pop superstar is bracing himself for his blast into outer space. But one question remains, will he stay there? Many of you will likely hope so.

He's the latest in a slew of so-rich-they-could-wipe-their-ass-with-benjamims celebs to have secured a seat on Virgin Galactic's planned commercial space missions when the shuttle starts zooming outside of the Earth's atmosphere.

Richie Rich, aka, Sir Richard Branson - who of course is the man behind this project - has revealed Justin and his manager Scooter Braun will be passengers on the craft.

Taking to Twitter, he said: 'Great to hear @justinbieber & @scooterbraun are latest @virgingalactic future astronauts. Congrats, see you up there! (sic)'

So if one of us plebs decides we want in, how much are we really talking? We thought it would cost near enough to a million but it's actually only 200k. Not bad? Sure that's a generous tip if we're talking about the amounts of money these guys are used to dealing in.

Other people making the journey to the stars include 'Two and a Half Men' star Ashton Kutcher, Kate Winslet and her husband Ned Rocknroll, Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Brand, while Angelina Jolie and her fiancé Brad Pitt, Katy Perry, scientist Steven Hawking and Tom Cruise have all been cosying up to Branson, expressing their interest.

The first ever two-hour flight in the planet's orbit will be boarded by Branson and his family and anyone who has paid a deposit guaranteeing them a place on it.

The first trip into space is due to happen this Christmas Day (25.12.13) with more flights following in 2014. Christmas DAY? What about the bleedin' turkey? Ah no, no no no, I wouldn't be missing that now; not for anything. Space, weightlessness and an incredible view of the Earth's curve me arse.