h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Has anybody had experience of getting a passport at very short notice?

I'm supposed to be travelling with my friend tomorrow and he's just realised his passport is invalid. He's on his way to heathrow, to the passport office, to see if he can sort something out.

I'd welcome any insight into the problem as I may not travel if he can't go (I'd be staying with his sister for two weeks!)

You can get a same-day turnaround if you take all the documents into the Passport Office in person - so if it's a renewal I imagine it'd be even easier. Costs a fair bit more though.

http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/_3_urgent/3_48hrs.asp

Although it seems to contradict itself in a couple of places...