17-07-2025
All the celebrities you might see at 'star-studded' RIAT 2025
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is about to kick off its 2025 event, and some famous faces are expected to be in the crowds.
The popular air show, which draws in hundreds of thousands of people to RAF Fairford near Swindon each year, regularly sees celebrities stop off to take in the sights and displays.
This year, RIAT will kick off on Friday, July 18 and continue until the evening of Sunday, July 20.
Previous famous visitors to the event have included boyband members, TV presenters, the Royal Family, actors and astronauts.
Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer
— Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025
'Demand for our event has been incredible since we came back from COVID and we are always grateful for the support we receive, from visitors, international air forces, and our volunteers," said Paul Atherton, CEO of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.
'This year's event is set to be another brilliant show with aircraft from all over the world and their crews which will be on hand to talk to visitors about their airframes and their careers in aviation.'
With Friday and Saturday's events already sold out, here are some of the celebrities rumoured to be 2025 ticket holders.
Famous faces you might see at RIAT 2025:
Tom Fletcher -
McFly's Tom Fletcher kitted up for RIAT in 2017 The lead singer of McFly, Tom Fletcher, grew up loving all things aviation and having attended Air Cadets in his youth, he later went on to secure his own pilot's licence.
In 2024, the boyband star was thrilled to attend RIAT and gave a talk on the Inspire Stage.
It wasn't his first time attending either, as he kitted up for a practice demonstration flight in a Thunderbirds F16, part of the US Air Force aerobatic display team, in 2017.
Last year, he told his Instagram followers the festival is "genuinely one of the highlights of my year," leaving fans to speculate that he might be returning to the event again in 2025.
The McFly lead has had a busy year so far, writing the music for the West End's new Paddington The Musical, filming as a judge on The Voice UK, and touring with his band.
A trip to RIAT 2025 might be the well-earned weekend getaway he needs.
The Prince and Princess of Wales -
The royals sheltered from the rain at RIAT 2023 (Image: PA) Prince William and Princess Kate have had had a busy schedule these past few weeks, having attended both the Women's EUROs and Wimbledon final.
The Royal Family has yet to confirm if the couple will be attending RIAT this year, but if they did, it wouldn't be the first time.
The royal couple, along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, toured RAF Fairford with their parents in 2023 when they were treated to a day of jets, helicopters and historic planes.
Tim Peake -
Tim Peake speaking at the Royal International Air Tattoo (Image: RIAT) There's no speculation about it - astronaut Tim Peake is a confirmed celebrity guest at RIAT 2025.
The astronaut has attended RIAT in previous years, and even taken to the Fairford skies himself in a Gazelle helicopter, and joined a flight with the RAF Red Arrows.
This year, Peake will speak on the Inspire Stage. He told his Instagram followers: "Really looking forward to getting back to RIAT on Friday 18th July.
"I'll be on the Inspire Stage at 10:25 hours in the Techno Zone, ready to answer your questions. See you there."
Carol Vorderman -
Carol Vorderman at the UK premiere of Top Gun: Maverick The famous Countdown presenter has visited RIAT multiple times, and is a regular attendee.
Vorderman is a keen flyer herself, having passed her private pilot's licence exam at Gloucestershire Airport in 2013.
She was last spotted at the military air show in 2023, when she took part in a Q&A with astronaut Tim Peake.
She was also previously interviewed at the event in 2018, and joined the first arrival flight of RIAT 2013.
Tom Cruise -
Tom Cruise pictured at RIAT 2022 with the Red Arrows team Proving he's not just a pilot on screen, Top Gun's Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance at the 2022 RIAT in Fairford.
Cruise hasn't attended since 2022 when he arrived to promote his movie 'Top Gun: Maverick', but he is a self-confessed aviation lover.
With his latest aviation-heavy movie 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' having just been released on May 23, eager fans are hopeful he could appear at RIAT again.
