Celeb recruits join the thin blue line

CELEBRITIES who thought they were signing up for a fluffy reality T V show were in for a massive shock when they turned up for this one.

“There are no beginner slopes. You put on the uniform and you’re straight into it,” says Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing.

In a television first, five famous faces join the ranks of volunteer officers, working for one of the UK’s busiest police forces as they find out what it’s really like to be at the sharp end of modern policing.

Alongside Jamie, T V presenter Katie Piper, Loose Women panellist Penny Lancaster, Gogglebox’s Sandi Bogle and comedian Marcus Brigstocke spent two weeks with officers at Cambridge Constabulary.

Just because they’re famous and totally inexperienced, they are not going to get an easy ride.

They have to respond to real 999 calls, work in custody, CID and take part in high-risk drug raids.

Penny admits she has felt like “the princess in the tower” with her protected and privileged lifestyle, so is looking for ward to going out of her comfort zone.

But after a dangerous chase in pursuit of a robber, the episode brings back a terrifying incident from her past.

Meanwhile, Katie, the victim of a horrific acid attack a decade ago, struggles to conquer her fears as she still battles anxiety. “Putting myself in danger again is something I swore I’d never do,” she says.

The first day of training is gruelling, tough and leaves some of them in tears. But this is life on the frontlines and they tackle it head on.