Olympic Flame To Visit Eastenders
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has today announced the Olympic Flame will be carried through the fictional London Borough of Walford during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
The home of EastEnders will join London communities in hosting the Olympic Flame in 2012. The Olympic Torch Relay route will travel through Albert Square on 23rd July 2012 passing landmarks such as the market, the launderette and The Queen Vic as it makes its way through London to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony on 27th July.
EastEnders viewers will already have seen characters Fat Boy and Billy Mitchell discover they’ve been nominated as Torchbearers, and in tonight’s (Tuesday’s) episode transmitting on BBC One, regulars in The Queen Vic will find out that the Olympic Flame will be passing through Walford and Billy will discover he’s the chosen one on screen in December.
On 23rd July 2012, EastEnders will feature live footage of Billy carrying the Olympic Flame while being cheered on by the famous residents of Albert Square. Although the episode will be largely filmed in advance several minutes of the Olympic procession will be beamed direct to TV screens around the UK live, from the Elstree set.
Last week LOCOG announced 1,018 communities that the Olympic Flame will be passing through carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
As well as over 1000 villages, town and cities, the Olympic Torch Relay will also take in hundreds of landmarks.
Sebastian Coe, chair of LOCOG, said: ‘Today’s announcement is a great addition to the Olympic Torch Relay Route. I’m sure the people of Walford will now start planning their celebrations to welcome the Flame to Albert Square. Along with people right round the UK, the residents of Albert Square will be getting involved to make this their moment to shine.’
Perry Fenwick, who plays Billy Mitchell, added: ‘When we first discussed the storyline, my initial thought was that I’ll now have to get fit! While this may be a fictional one off for Billy Mitchell, it’s a real once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I am thrilled that Walford and Albert Square will be part of this amazing event.’
The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung, will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19th May 2012.
On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.
The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community.
In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.
