The toughest job at London 2012 just got tougher

MARTIN Green is a man with an impressive resume and an unenviable job.

And it if he wasn't already having sleepless nights - he will be now.

REDEFINING SPECTACULAR: Beijing's Olympic opening ceremony - masterminded by Zhang Yimou - won global praise and a global TV audience of 1 billion people, according to figures released today (Getty Images)

Green is London 2012's Head of Ceremonies and the man responsible for the handover ceremony in Beijing - although not Boris Johnson's erratic behaviour - that was loved or loathed in equal measure.

He arrived at Canary Wharf having transformed the way Londoner's celebrate New Year's Eve and he played a key role in the transformation of the Millennium Dome from unloved white elephant to one of Europe's leading entertainment venues.

But now reality bites.

Figures released today revealed the opening ceremony of last year's Beijing Olympics was the most watched live television event in history - outstripping the moon landings, the funeral of Princess Diana and the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

According to global sports research consultancy Futures Sport + Entertainment, the multi-million pound ceremony attracted the world's first ‘genuine 1 billion' audience.

The report - which only uses trusted reporting sources, such as BARB in the United Kingdom - revealed 593 million people watched the entire four-hour show, 5m in Britain.

They also calculate 984m tuned in for part of the ceremony and their figures do not include those who watched in public places.

No pressure then Martin.

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