Channel 4 has commissioned a two-part series, Francis in Space, that will see Bourgeois go behind the scenes of some of the world’s leading space agencies. As he travels across the U.S., he’ll also undergo some of the intense physical and mental trials endured by trainee astronauts, in order to find out if he has what it takes to journey into space.

From G-Force training under the guidance of British astronaut Tim Peake, to the training programme of commercial spaceflight leaders Axiom Space, not to mention critical zero gravity tests, Francis will be pushing himself to the limits of physics.

Francis said: “People know that I’m obsessed with trains. But rockets and space travel was a very early infatuation. Now, as the Artemis Programme plans to return people to the moon and beyond, I’m going to face the question that has fizzed around my head since childhood – could I become an astronaut?”

It’s not Bourgeois’ first Channel 4 commission. A digital series for Channel 4, Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois, saw various celebrities accompany him on his locomotive adventures. In a memorable moment, he received a heartwarming pep talk from an unlikely guest: a then Nottingham Forest footballer Jesse Lingard.

Francis in Space promises similar moments of transportational joy. Although anyone who’s seen his ecstatic convulsions when the likes of a Class 56 locomotive passes him by will be wondering how he’s going to react when blasted into space. Even if only in a simulation.

Jack Kennedy, Creative Director of Shine TV, who is producing the series, added: “At just 23, Francis is chasing a dream most only dare to imagine — becoming an astronaut. With space exploration no longer a distant dream and fast becoming a part of our everyday reality, it’s inspiring to follow Francis’ relentless enthusiasm to realise his dream.”