You might have thought 2013 for Bob Geldof was all about getting back with The Boomtown Rats, but the singer is also finding time in his busy schedule to begin space training as he bids to become an astronaut.

The Space Expedition Corporation (Space XC) will start offering commercial space flights from next year and Geldof is aiming to become of the first people to avail of them.

According to the man himself:

"Being the ‘First Irishman in Space’ is not only a fantastic honour but pretty mind-blowing…The First Rock Astronaut – Space Rat! Elvis may have left the building but Bob Geldof will have left the Planet! Wild! Who would have thought it possible in my lifetime.”

His training begins in a Dutch space flight simulator this weekend.