Adrenaline Junkie

One would have thought that by now, ‘Jack Osbourne Adrenaline Junkie’ would have done every extreme ‘game’ conceivable, and he almost had, until the discovery X-Cats!

There are only so many extreme ‘games’ that Jack and friends can actually play, as when watching ITV2s primetime show, one must remember that what Jack is doing, any member of the public can also do. So with bungee jumps and rock climbing getting all too tiresome, what could they come up with next that was different, ‘out of bounds’ to Joe Public.

The celebrities to adorn our screen come in the shape of sex symbol Jesse Metcalf, Radio 1 DJ Reggie Yates and the ever so adorable Joanna Page from ‘Gavin & Stacey.’

So, with a show basing itself on extreme holiday activities, no talent required, just an adventurous nature and a spare pair of pants! What could they think of next? Luckily for Jack, X-Cats were on TV at the perfect time. Yes he wants to play in something that really is, totally out of bounds, a professional sport which takes years of dedication and skill to perfect. And a huge bank account helps.

Why not though, it’s worth it to ask? The worst that can happen is that the WPPA (World Professional Powerboat Assoc’) will say no! So they asked, and after wondering if they really wanted to be hassled by celebs, the WPPA decided to go ahead, but to hire in their media savvy and power boating guru chaperone Sarah Donohue. That way the WPPA get the best of both worlds, having Sarah take the pressure off, making sure a tight ship was ran and everything was in order. Everyone arrived in Dubai ready to roll.

Like any professional motorsport, the celebs were shown no special treatment; Safety first. Rory Power OOD made it clear that a strict timetable would be adhered to, and before any celeb even went near an X-Cat, they would first do the mandatory Dunker Test. No test, No race! They would also sit through a briefing, listen and learn. All very odd for the celebs as usually it’s a quick fix. But they had now entered a different world.

‘The celebs were very pleasant yet slightly worried. Joanna and Reggie were especially nice. They were very humble and easy to work with. I did say that no matter what they thought could be a daft question, it would be better that they ask now, as what seems trivial on land, will become a really big issue at 100mph! And Joanna asked a load of questions, but I think that’s what made her quick to learn,’ Says Sarah.

Only Joanna manage to get out the dunker first time as the other celebs battled with being upside down underwater coughing and spluttering. But Joanna was the only one to ask many questions. Next it was testing. But for some reason, as Joanna and Reggie donned their overalls, Jack and Jesse went back to their hotel rooms saying that their manager wouldn’t let them race a powerboat. Leaving the WPPA all scratching their heads, a surprised Sarah chirped, ‘but regardless of what their manager says, in the long run it’s up to the individual, I know that after working for Granada and jumping out of a plane in the same situation! It’s their choice and they can do what they want.’ After all, why had they come out here was the question everyone was asking. But for many, The dunk test can be a big off put! Adrenaline Junkie? There were certainly a few giggles...

Joanna came back in from testing and had a great time, Reggie wasn’t as enthusiastic, but did it all the same. As race day loomed, Jack and Jesse arrived looking sheepish, ‘c’mon lads. What are you choosing to do, there’s a time table we have to stick to, helicopters ready, safety is here. What’s it to be?’ Asked Sarah, she was also polite enough to also say that it wasn’t a problem and boats weren’t for everyone, but they did insist it wasn’t their decision. But on that note they said they would do it and they got in the boats!!! Being outdone by a girl would have definitely been an issue! The guys had a quick test. Loved it which we knew they would, and then they all followed the start boat to the course. The green flag dropped and off they went down the start chute. Jack leading at first then, then Reggie, then there was some jostling for position, the drivers getting more comfortable and the boats going faster lap by lap and the throttle men opened up!

Taking the chequered flag was Joanna Page, celebrity race winner! What a great race. She was then thrown in the water by her team mate Ian and say on the boat waving the chequered flag! It was a great experience for them and one which they all stated that ‘out of everything we’ve done, that was the best!’ Sarah also said, ‘apparently Ian reckons Joanna’s really good. Pity she’s an actress and doesn’t want to race full time, I’d have the perfect all-girl team, she’s as light as a feather like me!’