TV adventurer Charley Boorman has described the TT races as "incredible".
The actor, travel writer and TV star is in the Isle of Man ahead of his live show at the Gaiety Theatre this evening (Friday).
A well known bike fan Charley has travelled across the world on two wheels but has never been to see the TT Races before.
Speaking to isleofman.com reporter Tessa Hawley, Charley said watching the bikes live was extraordinary.
He said: "I've watched it before on TV but never here. This is my first time actually at the TT races. It's incredible. Nothing really prepares you for what you see. It is quite extraordinary.
"One of the amazing things about this place is that you can get so close – you can literally sit on the ditch looking down at the bikes going past you, or in someone's garden.
"What shocked me is that you come out of town here and the guys are screaming along and they go around a roundabout which has a big oak tree in the middle of it! It is kind of mad really."
Charley's love of motorcycles started at an early age despite the fact none of his family shared the same interest.
He explained: "I used to ride horses a lot and then realised you could ride a motorbike all day and you didn't have to feed it, wash it and it didn't need me. I just leant it up against the wall and walked away - that's probably half of why I got into it. Then it's just stayed with me for the rest of my life."
After meeting actor Ewan McGregor on a film set around 15 years ago the two men bonded over their love of bikes and ran a motorbike race team together from 1998 to 2002 - winning the British Superstock Series with David Jefferies.
In 2004 the duo embarked on a televised journey – Long Way Round - from London to New York via Eurasia and North America on motorbikes. In 2007 the pair then took on another challenge for a follow up – Long Way Down – which saw them ride through 18 countries from Scotland to Africa.
Charley describes motorcycles as a "fantastic leveller" for people sharing a common passion for the sport.
He said: "You can be standing at the Creg Na Baa or wherever and there will be a bunch of people and it doesn't matter who anyone is - from a painter to the CEO of BP - and you can all sit and have a laugh and giggle. If you've got nothing in common you just start talking about motorbikes. It's wonderful."
During tonight's show Charley will be joined on stage by his friend Richard De Aragues who directed the smash hit film TT3D: Closer to the Edge.
Speaking about the film which Charley described as "brilliant" Charley said: "I've known Richard for about 20 years and he's always wanted to be a feature film director. He's an amazing man and he's come up with this incredible story.
"I think it stays very true to the spirit of the TT and I think he has been very gentle, kind and generous to the riders.
"Can you imagine – you come here on your motorbike, you watch the guys flying around while sitting in someone's garden drinking tea and then you can go off and watch the movie and then you go and ride the same track!"
Charley Boorman's live show takes place tonight (Friday) at The Gaiety Theatre in Douglas. Tickets cost £15 and are available by telephoning the Box Office on 01624 600555 or online at www.villagaiety.com. The show starts at 9pm with doors opening at 8.30pm. Please note adult language and humour will be used.
Also see: Tickets still available for Charley Boorman live show
