By Andy Simon @AndySimon55

If you like a hard hitting reality fix then look no further than Channel 4's latest offering, "999: What's Your Emergency?"

I thought "24 Hours in A&E" was hard hitting enough to gain a person's attention however; after watching series three of "999: What's Your Emergency?", you still get that reality fix but in a very different way.

Having missed the previous two series for reasons that escape me, I am however very glad I found out about series three before it started.

Tonight's episode in this new series follows the Ambulance service and Police in Cheshire as they attend a varied range of urgent and not so urgent call outs.

For those who have read my previous review of "24 Hours in A&E", you will already know that shows like these (in my opinion) should be put into the category of "Absolute Must Watch" TV. They are quite simply great eye openers for a variety of reasons but to prevent me from boring you to tears, here's a few . . .

Firstly; it's real, no script, no rehearsals, what you see is what you get, as it happens.

Secondly; it makes you realise (at least for me it does) that perhaps your life is not as difficult or as uncomfortable as you might think, and that you quickly learn there is always someone who's considerably a great deal worse off than you.

Thirdly; (and most importantly) any TV documentary or show that opens your mind, makes you learn something new or in this show's case, gives you a greater appreciation of your lot in life, makes you reconsider your personal circumstances, or simply makes you sit back and say "Wow; my problems are tiny compared to some.", then this show has achieved its goal.

To some; shows like "999: What's Your Emergency?" could be viewed as way too depressing to watch, but you'd be wrong.

They are (in my opinion) anything but. They are essential watching.

It opens a window for an hour each week into a world that some of us are aware of, but seldom look closely into.

And if you did take the time to have a close look into this world, the world you also live in, then you would see that there are indeed others who's journey through life, be it due to their own actions or not, is considerably a great deal tougher than yours.

It shows you that everyone out there; has their story. And this show tells their story, very well.

Good reasons for watching me thinks?

Episode Five of 999; What's Your Emergency? airs on Channel 4 at 9pm Thursdays. Give it a go. I challenge you to write back to me & say, I've wasted your time.

Thanks for reading.

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