Kylie Minogue overlooked to carry Olympic torch in London
OLYMPIC torch relay organisers have ruled out Kylie Minogue as a celebrity torchbearer, but have bestowed the honour on a Harry Potter actor and a rap group.
The former Neighbours actress turned global pop superstar is adored by Britain and calls London home.
It had been rumoured for months that the 44-year-old singer would carry the flame during its final journey through the capital.
“Pop queen Kylie is considered the ideal Australian to carry the Flame and will be cheered on her way by her thousands of dedicated fans,” British newspaper the Daily Mirror declared in February.
But Torch Relay organisers tonight dispelled the Kylie rumours, confirming Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint, 23, and Little Britain’s David Walliams would run with the torch instead.
“We will have some big name torchbearers,” LOCOG torch relays producer Deborah Hale said.
Other A-list torchbearers carrying the flame in the final London leg will be former decathlete Daley Thompson, boxer Lennox Lewis, rower James Cracknell, rappers Rizzle Kicks and Britain’s Got Talent dance troupe Diversity.
The flame will make a dramatic entrance in London on Friday as a marine abseils with the torch from a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter into the Tower of London.
The torch will then pass landmarks including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Downing Street and Trafalgar Square before journeying down the Thames on the Gloriana on July 27 ahead of the Opening Ceremony flame lighting at the Olympic Stadium.
Up to nine million people have seen the torch as it travelled across the UK and a further three million people are expected to flood the streets of London to cheer it.
Mayor for London, Boris Johnson, refused to comment on London’s anticipated crowd numbers but said it would be “substantial”.
“The arrival of the Olympic Flame is a huge moment for the capital and an incredible opportunity for Londoners to experience, right on their doorsteps, the growing excitement as the countdown to the start of the 2012 Olympic Games moves ever nearer,” he said.
