LONDON 2012: Olympic torch to visit Albert Square and Billy Mitchell will carry it

By Sportsbeat staff

LONDON 2012 are promising 8,000 runners, each with their own inspirational story, will carry the Olympic torch next year.

FLAME CARRIER: Actor Perry Fenwick, who plays Eastenders character Billy Mitchell, will be unveiled as a torch bearer in tonight's episode (BBC)

So their decision to unveil the fictional Eastenders character of Billy Mitchell as effectively their first torchbearer might not be seen as setting the bar that high.

Mitchell, played by actor Perry Fenwick, will find out in an episode broadcast tonight that he will carry the flame through the fictional London Borough of Walford, home of the popular BBC soap opera, next summer.

An episode, which will be screened just four days before the Games, will see Mitchell take the torch past the market, launderette and Queen Vic. While most of the episode will be filmed in advance, the relay procession will be broadcast live.

According to show devotees, Mitchell has transformed himself from a 'runt of a man who's a catalyst for trouble' to a 'loveable loser' in his decade living on Albert Square. But by quite what measure he is 'inspirational' remains unclear.

"When we first discussed the storyline, my initial thought was that I’ll now have to get fit," said Fenwick. 

"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."

It's not the first time that a popular soap has embraced a major sports event.

Coronation Street fuss-pot Norris Cole, played by the actor Malcolm Hebden, proudly wore the much derided flat cap and shell suit livery of the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games volunteers, who even became known as the 'Norrises'.

"Today’s announcement is a great addition to the Olympic torch relay route," said London 2012 chairman Seb Coe. 

"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."

The flame, which will be lit in Olympia, Ancient Greece, will start its journey around the UK at Land's End on May 19th and after announcing 74 evening stops and island visits earlier this year, organisers Locog last week confirmed an additional 1,018 villages, towns and cities along the route.

Earlier this year, the BBC was accused of snubbing the Games by refusing to include the new 2012 stadium and Olympic Park on the EastEnders map, which forms the show's opening and closing credits.

Council chiefs and MPs expressed anger, claiming the omission undermined organisers’ bid to revitalise East London and produce a lasting legacy. Insiders now expect the graphic change to be made in time for next year's event.

© Sportsbeat 2011