All jobs have their ups and downs - but this is a different story.
It's fair to say it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but with plenty of thrill-seekers out there walking among us, the popular Lancashire seaside town resort has announced that it's currently recruiting, and is looking for one brave soul to take on the all-important role of 'Rollercoaster Test Rider'.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach needs someone with an "exceptional sense of fun and excitement" about them to make sure that all major rides at the resort have the necessary thrill-factor needed in time for the launch of the new season next month.
The successful candidate will be tasked with testing numerous rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach to give valuable feedback on a number of key factors like speed, thrills, and excitement levels.
They'll also be asked to give their thoughts on where they think improvements could be made at the park to "increase the fun factor" on different rides, as well as work with the Operations Department, where needed, to come up with "fun and thrilling ideas" for future projects.
The role isn't just limited to here the North West either, as the official Rollercoaster Test Rider will also be given the chance to travel to other European theme parks on a mission to test out the different rides there, and ultimately bring feedback and reports back to Blackpool.
So, what exactly do you need to be in with the chance of securing the role?
Blackpool Pleasure Beach needs someone to test-ride its rollercoasters / Credit: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
For starters, you just need to be at least 1.32m (4ft 3in) tall to be able to ride the rollercoasters, but you'll also need to have a good head for heights, a strong stomach, and will also need to like going upside down, as that's a pretty important part of the job.
A bit of previous experience of riding rollercoasters and thrill rides is also "preferred" for this temporary role, according to the job description.
Applications are now open and any thrill-seeker applying will need to make sure they're available to spend a day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach during w/c Monday 13 March, should they be successful in the role.
Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge this month.
The former Leeds Rhinos captain will begin 7 in 7: The Grand Finale next Sunday 27 September.
Wondering what on earth that is? Allow us to fill you in.
Sinfield will be running an ultra-marathon every day for seven days, and this time it's across the north of England including a special stop off right here in Leeds.
Not only that, but the challenge will bring Sinfield back to some of the places that have played a huge part in his rugby league career.
The route will visit all 12 English Betfred Super League grounds, starting at Hull KR before travelling through Yorkshire and eventually crossing the Pennines towards Manchester where Sinfield is from.
Here in Leeds, we can expect Sinfield to arrive at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 30 September at 11:14am, before leaving towards Pudsey Civic Hall at 11:40am.
The challenge will then finish at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, where Sinfield will arrive ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Since the first annual challenge back in 2020, Kevin Sinfield and his team have raised over £11 million for the MND community with six charities set to benefit once again from this years fundraising.
It's an amazing challenge for an amazing cause, and you can donate and find out more about the challenge here.
Good luck Kevin and the team, we know you'll smash it.
Channel 4 needs people from Yorkshire who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wondered how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now's your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.Â
The casting call simply reads: "Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?"
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city - used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare - with no food, running water, electricity or heat.Â
Produced by The Garden - which is part of ITV Studios - for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on people from Yorkshire with the 'courage and ingenuity' to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let's prove what we're made of.
Applications close on Sunday 4 October 2026 at midnight, and you must be 18 or above, with a valid UK or ROI passport, to enter.Â
The Hoot -
22nd February 2023 
