Spangly times

When Justin Lee Collins says that Las Vegas is like Disneyland for grown ups, it comes as no surprise when he reveals he’s already visited the bright lights and spangles five times. JLC is a fun-loving kind of guy, and so moving to Vegas for a time and investigating employment options is pretty much like running away to join the circus for our big hairy hero. Even a bit like Dick Whittington, packing his bags and heading to a city where the streets are paved with gold, excitement is never far away and a boy can make his fortune. Especially if he’s prepared to have a go at singing like Barry Gibb. It’s a hair thing.

Justin Lee Collins is a Marmite presenter – you either love him or he makes your skin crawl with his happy Muppet-without-felt persona. I grew up with The Muppets and personally I think he’s ace. He’ll have a bash at most things in the name of entertainment and isn’t afraid to say he’s a bit scared once in a while.

“Justin Lee Collins is a Marmite presenter – you either love him or he makes your skin crawl…”

He didn’t seem scared when he joined a stripping troop of Aussie hunks for the evening. (NB: if you’ve lost weight and want to show it off, fair do’s, but you’re not doing yourself any favours if you surround yourself with incredibly fit half naked men too. Just saying.) He didn’t seem scared when he auditioned with a Tom Jones number in a Vegas agent’s office. She could’ve been representing Joey Tribbiani without too much of a stretch. And he didn’t seem scared renewing a couple’s vows when he checked out behind the scenes at a the chapel of love Briney Spears had her quickie wedding at. He did sing ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ though, which wasn’t without its risks.

The possible fear factor kicked in when he stepped off the strip and joined a bail bondsman in tracking down a felon who’d skipped out on their court date. Arriving in the office the proprietor has one of his men walk a quiet looking man in handcuffs to the jail. “What’d he do?” asks our intrepid explorer.

“Strangulation.” Makes you wanna gulp.

This is a boy’s own adventure for the 21st century, and a massive advert for visiting Las Vegas. It’s got to be sponsored by the tourist board and if they didn’t they should be patting themselves on the back for getting this made without their dollar.

It is only the first episode in a series, so there may be a darker underbelly to come, but for big reveals like that you tend to go to Louis Theroux rather than Justin Lee Collins. They both have their talents but not too much career overlap.

So… if you’re finding life a little small and want to be dazzled by the bright and the shiny, let JLC lead the way. After all, Dick Whittington’s cat didn’t do too badly following those footsteps.

Living Las Vegas, Five, Wednesday 31 August.