08 Jan 2016

Carlisle tree cutter turns Ninja Warrior for ITV show

Daredevil Joe White from Carlisle is set to swap tree climbing with TV’s toughest obstacle course when he makes his debut on ITV extreme game show Ninja Warrior UK tomorrow night.

The 24-year-old, who has been a tree cutter for power operator Electricity North West for two years, admits that his arduous and physical day job has set him in good stead for the show.
Joe White, from Longtown near Carlisle, said: “It’s been really tough, but I remember watching the programme and thinking I could do that. I’m not really into extreme sports, but my day job definitely keeps me in shape and because I’m climbing trees every day and cutting them back to help protect power supplies it's all about upper body strength and core strength. I didn't really prepare for the auditions or the challenge which was shot in Manchester, I just work hard and that has always been my motto.”

On the progamme tomorrow night competitors from all over the UK will tackle the obstacle course and battle to be crowned UK’s Ninja Warrior.

The programme, which first started in the US, Sweden, Malaysia and Japan, is hosted by Ben Shephard, Rochelle Humes and Chris Kamara.

Joe continued: “The filming was pretty daunting and I remember being stood on the start podium and I could hear Chris Kamara saying this lads going to do well. My colleagues and friends have been great, even though the lad I share a van with at work jokingly said that if I don’t do well then he’s not picking me up so the pressure is on.”

Ninja Warrior UK is on ITV on Saturday at 7pm and to view more photographs visit Electricity North West on Facebook or Twitter.