A Virgin balloon has once again popped up where you would least expect it - this time on Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets show on BBC2.

The programme, which features Raymond's top culinary tips, at 8.30 pm on Monday night showed our Virgin balloon in Oxfordshire soaring over Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, the famous chef's two-Michelin starred restaurant and hotel.

The balloon, piloted by Mark Shemilt, came in to view 16 minutes 26 seconds into the show after a feature about water-cress, and it is currently available to see on BBC's iPlayer.

Mark, who holds two ballooning world records, takes lucky passengers on champagne balloon flights from Oxford, Henley-on-Thames, High Wycombe, Alton, and Basingstoke.

Mark said: "It was a really nice surprise to hear that we had appeared on Raymond Blanc's show. Sometimes we do fly over Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in Oxfordshire, and it's a beautiful place. Perhaps next time, we'll get invited in for a bite to eat!"

This was not the first time a Virgin balloon has appeared on a prime-time cookery programme as Gary Rhodes once cooked a full meal onboard a flight with Mark Simmons, our pilot in the southwest of England.

If you would like to experience a hot air balloon ride, visit our Virgin Balloon Flights website for locations and the latest offers.