Survival expert changes name to Rambo
22nd February 2008
www.dailymail.co.uk
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The wild streets of Skegness have seemed just that little bit safer ever since survival expert and obsessed Rambo fan Stephen O'Rourke changed his name to that of the muscle-bound movie hero. Skegness' own John Rambo might draws stunned glances from passers-by as he patrols through the town in full military get-up and bandana, but at least no one dares mess with him.
John, 40, changed his name 20 years ago after watching the Rambo movies for the first time. Not content with sharing the same name as the tough action hero and dressing the same, he has also perfected Sly Stallone's distinctive slow drawl. The charity worker helps teach outdoor survival tactics at his local Air Training Corps.
He said: "I really am the real-life Rambo. Generally people think twice about what they say to me. Nobody messes with me. Sometimes people don't believe I'm serious at first. They just think it's quite amusing. Then they realise the truth."
Unmarried John changed his name by deed poll in 1988 when he was 20 - the year the third film came out. He said: "I was mad on all the Rambo films at the time. I was 14, 17 and 20 when they came out and it was when the last one came out that I changed my name. People had already nicknamed me Rambo. I had a really short fuse and I always wore a bandana. I thought Rambo was great and we were so similar I knew I was just the real-life version of the character. The name was the only thing missing and once I changed that I really was John Rambo." It is not just John's name that makes him stand out from the crowd as a real-life action hero.
Wearing a bandana and combat trousers he is the spitting image of Sylvester Stallone's character in the popular films. He said: "I've always worn something on my head, usually a cap, but I started wearing a bandana too. In the films Rambo wears a red one but mine's camouflage green. They're similar enough though. I wear combat trousers quite a lot, so I look just like him."
John does not just keep up appearances with his love of everything 'Rambo'. He has honed the same skills as his icon, making himself an expert on aircraft, weaponry and survival. He said: "I'm really into survival. I've done a few courses and I could easily survive in the woods if I had to. "I'm really into aircraft and weaponry, I've been into it for a long time. I am the chairman of the civilian committee for the 1073 Skegness Squadron Air Training Corps so that is right along the line of my interests."
Single John will be among the thousands of Rambo fans across the country queuing up to see the fourth offering of the world-famous films. He said he couldn't wait to see his hero's latest appearance to pick up some hints and tips, and hoped the film would live up to its predecessors.
He added: "My favourite film was the second one, but I love all three of them. I can watch them over and over again. I think the new one will be just as good, although maybe that John Rambo will have mellowed like I have over the years. I don't have as much of a short fuse as I used to and the film Rambo is probably the same. He's older and wiser now. I'm really looking forward to seeing the film. I'll be watching it in the cinema on the day it starts showing."
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Goodness me, I was shocked to hear that this man's still single. What's wrong with the women of Skegness?!
