Scott tracks down Ralph, an extraordinarily posh EasyJet cabin crew member whose announcement before takeoff left passengers convinced he couldn’t possibly be real, leading to a brilliant conversation about code-switching and working-class supermarket beginnings.
After receiving a brilliant voicemail from a listener describing an unusually posh announcement on an EasyJet flight from Marseille to London Gatwick, the show manages to contact Ralph, the cabin crew member in question. Ralph explains that he does indeed change his accent depending on his social circle—he’s “Rave” with friends but becomes “Ralph” while working for EasyJet, finding that the posher version works better for the airline. He delivers his full in-flight announcement live on air, which is every bit as flowery and formal as reported (“I welcome you aboard this your issue of flight…”). The conversation reveals that Ralph used to work at a supermarket and comedy Dave was actually his boss there—Dave apparently encouraged him to adopt a more refined speaking voice, which has clearly stuck. The team also plays a clip of an extremely posh female listener whose accent is so thick and affected that it’s almost incomprehensible, leading to jokes about her sounding like sounds only dogs can hear. Ralph insists he’s not putting on an act, though the whole show remains thoroughly charmed by the disconnect between his extremely formal manner and the everyday nature of cabin crew work.


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