A FEARLESS Skipton window cleaner is looking for the challenge of his life after missing the chance to appear on an all-action TV show.

Everything was set for daring Darren Lemal to risk his life before the cameras by climbing - and cleaning - a skyscraper in New York on the hit Saturday night show, Don't Try This At Home.

His friend and well-known Blind Date star, David Smith, had organised Darren's TV debut through his new contacts at London Weekend Television and the preparations were going on behind his back like a military exercise.

Even his doctor had been contacted by programme researchers for health insurance purposes.

But all the effort was to no avail as the show's presenter, Darren Day, couldn't make it up to Skipton to surprise his namesake because of other work commitments.

Now David is hoping to salvage the situation by finding Darren the "ultimate extreme challenge" in Craven, and wants outdoor pursuits comanies to come forward and throw down the gauntlet.

David, who recently found fame as the jilted boy of Blind Date, said: "I have known Darren since we were at Aireville School together and he is absolutely mad. I wouldn't dare do the things he does.

"When we were younger he was always climbing things and he hasn't stopped.

"After the disappointment of the show I would like a specialist to come forward to offer Darren a real challenge.

"I know he has never jumped out of a plane, bungee jumped or paraglided. But I will wait and see what comes in."

Darren has just returned from yet another climbing trip in the Alps and says he stared death in the face at Easter, when he found himself hanging on to an ice wall in Scotland by one point of his spiked boots.

With his obvious taste for adventure it's easy to understand why the Don't Try This At Home team sent a researcher to video him working at the Long Ashes Caravan Park in Threshfield, where David is manager.

Darren said: "Call me gullible but I had no idea what they were doing here. I thought they were doing something on the park.

"I've got to say I'm slightly phased by all this media lark, but I was pretty disappointed not to get the chance at an extreme challenge."

* Darren might not find a New York skyscraper to climb in Craven, but if any extreme sports firms can offer him an alternative they should contact the Herald newsdesk and we'll pass it on.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.