A well-known comedian will be showing his serious side today when he lines up at the starting grid of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) in Fort William.
Ross Noble, who is a keen motorcyclist, is taking part in the arduous event for the first time.
And he joined the 274 other trialists for the traditional parade along Fort William’s High Street yesterday afternoon.
Ross has been practicing hard, but revealed he hasn’t told a famous American director he will be competing – on the off-chance he gets injured – as he will be appearing in his musical later this year.
“After the SSDT, I will be touring in Europe and Scandinavia, then begin rehearsals for Mel Brooks’ musical, Young Frankenstein, which starts in the West End in September.
“If I break one of my legs, I’m in trouble, as I have to dance. Mel Brooks is just amazing – he is funny all the time – and it is a real treat to be working with him. But he doesn’t know I’m taking part, so I’ll have to be careful.”
Ross, 40, who is originally from Northumberland, but now lives in Kent, added: “I took my bike along to an ice rink where I was slipping and sliding all over the place, then I got a load of rocks from a quarry and put them in my garden to have a go on those. I even tied a smoke grenade to my bike, so I would know what it was like if the conditions were misty.
“I’m looking forward to starting today, but I feel I should be a lot more nervous than I am at the moment.”
A film crew will be following Ross’s progress and the documentary will be shown on TV’s Dave channel later in the year.
Last year’s winner, former world champion, Dougie Lampkin, is also eager to start and is hoping to lift the trophy for the 11th time.
The 41 year-old from Skipton in North Yorkshire has been coming to the SSDT in Fort William since he was a baby as his late father, Martin, took part and won the event from 1976-78.
He said: “It would be nice to win again, but a little bit of luck comes into it. My two sons, Alfie, 11 and Fraiser, nine, are here, but it’s too early to say whether they will take up the sport as well.”
The motorcyclists, who come from all over the world to compete, were welcomed to the town by local councillor Thomas MacLennan.
He told them: “My brother Gary is taking part. He’s a fresh-looking 55, so look after him.”