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'''Episode 4466''' of the [[BBC]] [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]]'' was broadcast on [[BBC One]] on 23 July 2012, between 9pm and 9.30pm. It was written by Matt Evans, directed by [[Clive Arnold]], and executively produced by [[Lorraine Newman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/rhrmr/eastenders--episode-4466 |title=EastEnders Episode 4466 |work=[[Radio Times]] |accessdate=1 August 2012 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/697uC0ACP?url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/rhrmr/eastenders--episode-4466 |archivedate=13 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It included seven minutes of live footage, during which the character of [[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy Mitchell]], played by [[Perry Fenwick]], carried the [[Olympic Torch]] as an official torch bearer as part of the [[2012 Summer Olympics torch relay|official torch relay]] for the [[London 2012 Olympic Games]], and [[Lola Pearce]], played by [[Danielle Harold]], gave birth to her daughter. The storyline for the episode was announced in November 2011, with the fact that Lola would give birth being reported in July 2012. The episode received positive reviews, with Karen Edwards from ''[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]'' calling it "special" and praising Harold's performance, and Jane Rackham from the ''[[Radio Times]]'' calling it "highly topical", though Boyd Hilton from ''Heat'' felt that Billy's torch bearing was a "gimmick" and the whole episode should have been live. It was watched by an average of 7.32&nbsp;million people on its initial broadcast. It was accompanied by a special, one-off [[BBC Red Button]] episode called "Billy's Olympic Nightmare". The episode received an ''[[All About Soap]]'' award nomination for Best Episode, under the name "'''Billy and the Olympic Torch'''", and a [[The British Soap Awards|British Soap Award]] nomination for "Spectacular Scene of the Year", both in 2013.
'''Episode 4466''' of the [[BBC]] [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]]'' was broadcast on [[BBC One]] on 23 July 2012, between 9pm and 9.30pm. It was written by Matt Evans, directed by [[Clive Arnold]], and executively produced by [[Lorraine Newman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/rhrmr/eastenders--episode-4466 |title=EastEnders Episode 4466 |work=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=1 August 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/697uC0ACP?url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/rhrmr/eastenders--episode-4466 |archive-date=13 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It included seven minutes of live footage, during which the character of [[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy Mitchell]], played by [[Perry Fenwick]], carried the [[Olympic Torch]] as an official torch bearer as part of the [[2012 Summer Olympics torch relay|official torch relay]] for the [[London 2012 Olympic Games]], and [[Lola Pearce]], played by [[Danielle Harold]], gave birth to her daughter. The storyline for the episode was announced in November 2011, with the fact that Lola would give birth being reported in July 2012. The episode received positive reviews, with Karen Edwards from ''[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]'' calling it "special" and praising Harold's performance, and Jane Rackham from the ''[[Radio Times]]'' calling it "highly topical", though Boyd Hilton from ''Heat'' felt that Billy's torch bearing was a "gimmick" and the whole episode should have been live. It was watched by an average of 7.32&nbsp;million people on its initial broadcast. It was accompanied by a special, one-off [[BBC Red Button]] episode called "Billy's Olympic Nightmare". The episode received an ''[[All About Soap]]'' award nomination for Best Episode, under the name "'''Billy and the Olympic Torch'''", and a [[The British Soap Awards|British Soap Award]] nomination for "Spectacular Scene of the Year", both in 2013.


==Plot==
==Plot==
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==Announcement==
==Announcement==
In November 2011, storylines show Billy selected as a torch bearer for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]]. At the same time, it was announced that in reality, Fenwick would carry the torch through the fictional setting of [[Albert Square]], with live footage shown in the second episode on 23 July 2012. London 2012 chairman [[Sebastian Coe]] said: "The announcement is a great addition to the Olympic Torch Relay Route. I'm sure the people of Walford will now start planning their celebrations. Along with people right round the UK, the residents of Albert Square will be getting involved to make this their moment to shine." Fenwick said, "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, 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."<ref name="BBC Blog 20111115" >{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/2011/11/the-olympic-flame-comes-to-wal.shtml|title=The Olympic flame comes to Walford!|work=[[BBC]]|date=15 November 2011|accessdate=14 February 2010}}</ref> He later added: "I think it's great that ''EastEnders'' has done this storyline, because it would be totally wrong and remiss not to acknowledge the biggest event in our lifetime, which technically—in fictional land—is five minutes up the road from Walford."<ref name="Digital Spy interview" /> Roger Mosey, the BBC's director for London 2012, said, "I like this, in media terms, that it's the real torch, the real procession going to Walford. It will be live when it goes there and so potentially you can broadcast ''EastEnders'' for three or four minutes on the News Channel because the torch being in Albert Square is a news event. I like the idea of the real torch being in a fictional place."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15858869|title=London 2012: BBC launches Olympic programmes|date=24 November 2011|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=8 November 2012}}</ref>
In November 2011, storylines show Billy selected as a torch bearer for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]]. At the same time, it was announced that in reality, Fenwick would carry the torch through the fictional setting of [[Albert Square]], with live footage shown in the second episode on 23 July 2012. London 2012 chairman [[Sebastian Coe]] said: "The announcement is a great addition to the Olympic Torch Relay Route. I'm sure the people of Walford will now start planning their celebrations. Along with people right round the UK, the residents of Albert Square will be getting involved to make this their moment to shine." Fenwick said, "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, 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."<ref name="BBC Blog 20111115" >{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/2011/11/the-olympic-flame-comes-to-wal.shtml|title=The Olympic flame comes to Walford!|work=[[BBC]]|date=15 November 2011|access-date=14 February 2010}}</ref> He later added: "I think it's great that ''EastEnders'' has done this storyline, because it would be totally wrong and remiss not to acknowledge the biggest event in our lifetime, which technically—in fictional land—is five minutes up the road from Walford."<ref name="Digital Spy interview" /> Roger Mosey, the BBC's director for London 2012, said, "I like this, in media terms, that it's the real torch, the real procession going to Walford. It will be live when it goes there and so potentially you can broadcast ''EastEnders'' for three or four minutes on the News Channel because the torch being in Albert Square is a news event. I like the idea of the real torch being in a fictional place."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15858869|title=London 2012: BBC launches Olympic programmes|date=24 November 2011|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref>


On 15 July 2012, it was announced that a seven-minute live segment at the end of episode would show Billy taking part in the relay, followed by Lola giving birth to her daughter, while Billy rushes to be there. Harold would become only the second actress to act out a birth during a live episode of a soap opera, following ''[[Coronation Street]]'s'' [[Jennie McAlpine]] ([[Fiz Brown|Fiz Stape]]) in [[Coronation Street Live (2010)|the live 50th anniversary episode]] broadcast in December 2010.<ref name="holding the baby"/> An insider from the show stated, "No one has tried anything like this on ''EastEnders'' live before so it is a real challenge to get the emotion of the situation right. It will be the toughest thing Danielle has done in her acting career."<ref name="holding the baby">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-star-danielle-harold-will-play-1144275|title=Holding the baby: EastEnders' Lola in live birth for special Olympics episode|last=Methven|first=Nicola|date=15 July 2012|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|accessdate=17 September 2012}}</ref>
On 15 July 2012, it was announced that a seven-minute live segment at the end of episode would show Billy taking part in the relay, followed by Lola giving birth to her daughter, while Billy rushes to be there. Harold would become only the second actress to act out a birth during a live episode of a soap opera, following ''[[Coronation Street]]'s'' [[Jennie McAlpine]] ([[Fiz Brown|Fiz Stape]]) in [[Coronation Street Live (2010)|the live 50th anniversary episode]] broadcast in December 2010.<ref name="holding the baby"/> An insider from the show stated, "No one has tried anything like this on ''EastEnders'' live before so it is a real challenge to get the emotion of the situation right. It will be the toughest thing Danielle has done in her acting career."<ref name="holding the baby">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-star-danielle-harold-will-play-1144275|title=Holding the baby: EastEnders' Lola in live birth for special Olympics episode|last=Methven|first=Nicola|date=15 July 2012|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|access-date=17 September 2012}}</ref>


==Production==
==Production==
[[File:Perry Fenwick.jpg|thumb|[[Perry Fenwick]] ([[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy Mitchell]], ''pictured'') said he was "worried" about carrying the Olympic Flame in the live section of the episode.]]
[[File:Perry Fenwick.jpg|thumb|[[Perry Fenwick]] ([[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy Mitchell]], ''pictured'') said he was "worried" about carrying the Olympic Flame in the live section of the episode.]]
Carl Doran, the creative head of the Torch coverage across the BBC, revealed in a blog on [[BBC Online]], that the [[London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games]] (LOCOG) and ''EastEnders'' production team had worked for two years to organise the flame being shown live on ''EastEnders'', saying "We've been looking into the practicalities and many challenges of getting the torch to Walford in time for an ''EastEnders'' slot while it makes a whistle-stop tour through London's 32 boroughs in the final week of the 70-day journey around the UK. We also discussed the idea of trying to record it on tape like a traditional ''EastEnders'' episode as well, but we always wanted it to be as authentic as possible and so it will be the real torch and flame and it will happen live. It's very exciting, and even more so because live broadcasting adds an extra set of challenges to a top drama."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rogermosey/2011/11/olympic_torch_coming_to_walfor.html|title=Olympic Torch coming to Walford|last=Mosey|first=Roger|author2=Doran, Carl|date=15 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=8 November 2012}}</ref>
Carl Doran, the creative head of the Torch coverage across the BBC, revealed in a blog on [[BBC Online]], that the [[London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games]] (LOCOG) and ''EastEnders'' production team had worked for two years to organise the flame being shown live on ''EastEnders'', saying "We've been looking into the practicalities and many challenges of getting the torch to Walford in time for an ''EastEnders'' slot while it makes a whistle-stop tour through London's 32 boroughs in the final week of the 70-day journey around the UK. We also discussed the idea of trying to record it on tape like a traditional ''EastEnders'' episode as well, but we always wanted it to be as authentic as possible and so it will be the real torch and flame and it will happen live. It's very exciting, and even more so because live broadcasting adds an extra set of challenges to a top drama."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rogermosey/2011/11/olympic_torch_coming_to_walfor.html|title=Olympic Torch coming to Walford|last=Mosey|first=Roger|author2=Doran, Carl|date=15 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref>


Rehearsals for the live section of the episode started on 21 July 2012 and full dress rehearsals on 22 July,<ref name="Guardian Press Association">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/jul/23/eastenders-olympic-torch-live-episode|title=EastEnders to glimpse Olympic flame as torch relay reaches Walford|last=Press Association|date=23 July 2012|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=Guardian News and Media|accessdate=2 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="Digital Spy Tom Eames" /> though there was some tentative rehearsal time before that when they were also busy filming other episodes.<ref name="Digital Spy interview" /> Fenwick said of his rehearsals, "Summer arrives just in time for me to complete my 24th circuit of Albert Square and I'm sweltering. On the plus side, I'm starting to see abs, have buns of steel and the show is looking good too!"<ref name="Guardian Press Association" /><ref name="Digital Spy Tom Eames" /> He had to check the route for potholes beforehand, as well as making sure he knew his lines, and said he was looking forward to it being over.<ref name="Digital Spy interview" /> He was worried about carrying the torch during the live broadcast, as he may have dropped it or it could have gone out. He stated that he, as an actor, was feeling more nervous than his character.<ref name="Digital Spy interview">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/interviews/a393071/eastenders-perry-fenwick-talks-billys-olympic-plot-interview.html|title='EastEnders': Perry Fenwick talks Billy's Olympic plot – interview|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=17 July 2012|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|accessdate=7 August 2012}}</ref>
Rehearsals for the live section of the episode started on 21 July 2012 and full dress rehearsals on 22 July,<ref name="Guardian Press Association">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/jul/23/eastenders-olympic-torch-live-episode|title=EastEnders to glimpse Olympic flame as torch relay reaches Walford|last=Press Association|date=23 July 2012|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=Guardian News and Media|access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="Digital Spy Tom Eames" /> though there was some tentative rehearsal time before that when they were also busy filming other episodes.<ref name="Digital Spy interview" /> Fenwick said of his rehearsals, "Summer arrives just in time for me to complete my 24th circuit of Albert Square and I'm sweltering. On the plus side, I'm starting to see abs, have buns of steel and the show is looking good too!"<ref name="Guardian Press Association" /><ref name="Digital Spy Tom Eames" /> He had to check the route for potholes beforehand, as well as making sure he knew his lines, and said he was looking forward to it being over.<ref name="Digital Spy interview" /> He was worried about carrying the torch during the live broadcast, as he may have dropped it or it could have gone out. He stated that he, as an actor, was feeling more nervous than his character.<ref name="Digital Spy interview">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/interviews/a393071/eastenders-perry-fenwick-talks-billys-olympic-plot-interview.html|title='EastEnders': Perry Fenwick talks Billy's Olympic plot – interview|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=17 July 2012|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref>


Harold said of the rehearsals, "I have known about this live episode for such a long time but all of a sudden it has crept up on us. I am really nervous but now we have started rehearsing, I am feeling equally excited. It will definitely be an experience and I hope Perry runs smoothly!"<ref name="Digital Spy Tom Eames" /> She also said she was "terrified" of acting out the birth, saying she would prefer to give birth in real life. She said that filming the pre-recorded labour scenes meant she "was knackered after screaming and crying and pretending to push all day."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/soaps/eastenders/interviews/eastenders-danielle-on-lolas-big-birth-day/17001|title=EastEnders' Danielle on Lola's big birth day!|date=17 July 2012|work=[[What's on TV]]|publisher=[[IPC Media]]|accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref> In an interview with [[Digital Spy]], she said that she was "really, really nervous" and that the prospect of acting the birth was "very scary", but added, "I really appreciate that they've given me the opportunity, especially considering that I haven't been here at ''EastEnders'' for that long. It's really nice that they've trusted me with it, so hopefully I'll do it justice! It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll go well."<ref name="Digital Spy Danielle Harold interview" /> To help prepare, she asked several women for advice, including her mother, and was told "It's the worst pain you can ever imagine!"<ref name="Digital Spy Danielle Harold interview" /> She found it "quite difficult" to imagine what it would be like to act out as she has no children, but had watched [[Channel 4]] show ''[[One Born Every Minute]]'' to help, as she did not want to "overdo the scene or make it look really fake."<ref name="Digital Spy Danielle Harold interview">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/interviews/a393073/eastenders-danielle-harold-teases-lola-baby-arrival-interview.html|title='EastEnders' Danielle Harold teases Lola baby arrival – interview|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=18 July 2012|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|accessdate=13 August 2012}}</ref>
Harold said of the rehearsals, "I have known about this live episode for such a long time but all of a sudden it has crept up on us. I am really nervous but now we have started rehearsing, I am feeling equally excited. It will definitely be an experience and I hope Perry runs smoothly!"<ref name="Digital Spy Tom Eames" /> She also said she was "terrified" of acting out the birth, saying she would prefer to give birth in real life. She said that filming the pre-recorded labour scenes meant she "was knackered after screaming and crying and pretending to push all day."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/soaps/eastenders/interviews/eastenders-danielle-on-lolas-big-birth-day/17001|title=EastEnders' Danielle on Lola's big birth day!|date=17 July 2012|work=[[What's on TV]]|publisher=[[IPC Media]]|access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref> In an interview with [[Digital Spy]], she said that she was "really, really nervous" and that the prospect of acting the birth was "very scary", but added, "I really appreciate that they've given me the opportunity, especially considering that I haven't been here at ''EastEnders'' for that long. It's really nice that they've trusted me with it, so hopefully I'll do it justice! It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll go well."<ref name="Digital Spy Danielle Harold interview" /> To help prepare, she asked several women for advice, including her mother, and was told "It's the worst pain you can ever imagine!"<ref name="Digital Spy Danielle Harold interview" /> She found it "quite difficult" to imagine what it would be like to act out as she has no children, but had watched [[Channel 4]] show ''[[One Born Every Minute]]'' to help, as she did not want to "overdo the scene or make it look really fake."<ref name="Digital Spy Danielle Harold interview">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/interviews/a393073/eastenders-danielle-harold-teases-lola-baby-arrival-interview.html|title='EastEnders' Danielle Harold teases Lola baby arrival – interview|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=18 July 2012|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref>


The episode was part of the official torch relay, and Fenwick ran with the real torch protection team<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/18955818|title=Olympic torch made a live appearance on Eastenders|date=24 July 2012|work=[[Newsround]]|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=9 August 2012}}</ref> dressed as an official torch bearer.<ref name="Daily Mirror Cockerton" /> The torch made a special detour from London<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18953347|title=Olympic torch: Reality and fiction blur in London|date=23 July 2012|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref> <!-- on day ?? of the relay -->to the ''EastEnders'' set in [[Elstree Studios#Clarendon Road Studios, Borehamwood|BBC Elstree]], [[Borehamwood]].<ref name="Elstree & Borehamwood Times">{{cite news|url=http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/9834603.Olympic_torch_comes_to_Borehamwood_during_EastEnders_live_show/|title=Olympic torch comes to Borehamwood during EastEnders live show|last=Slater|first=Anna|date=24 July 2012|work=Elstree & Borehamwood Times|publisher=[[Newsquest]]|accessdate=9 August 2012}}</ref> Fenwick's route saw him carry the torch from the fictional location of [[Walford#Bridge Street|Bridge Street]], past [[The Queen Victoria]] public house and around Albert Square.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/82482/EastEnders-Billy-Mitchell-Does-Nation-Proud-As-He-Carries-Olympic-Torch-Through-Walford |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130123003156/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/82482/EastEnders-Billy-Mitchell-Does-Nation-Proud-As-He-Carries-Olympic-Torch-Through-Walford |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 January 2013 |title=EastEnders' Billy Mitchell Does Nation Proud As He Carries Olympic Torch Through Walford |last=Rajani |first=Deepika |date=24 July 2012 |publisher=Entertainmentwise |accessdate=10 August 2012 }}</ref>
The episode was part of the official torch relay, and Fenwick ran with the real torch protection team<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/18955818|title=Olympic torch made a live appearance on Eastenders|date=24 July 2012|work=[[Newsround]]|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref> dressed as an official torch bearer.<ref name="Daily Mirror Cockerton" /> The torch made a special detour from London<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18953347|title=Olympic torch: Reality and fiction blur in London|date=23 July 2012|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref> <!-- on day ?? of the relay -->to the ''EastEnders'' set in [[Elstree Studios#Clarendon Road Studios, Borehamwood|BBC Elstree]], [[Borehamwood]].<ref name="Elstree & Borehamwood Times">{{cite news|url=http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/9834603.Olympic_torch_comes_to_Borehamwood_during_EastEnders_live_show/|title=Olympic torch comes to Borehamwood during EastEnders live show|last=Slater|first=Anna|date=24 July 2012|work=Elstree & Borehamwood Times|publisher=[[Newsquest]]|access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref> Fenwick's route saw him carry the torch from the fictional location of [[Walford#Bridge Street|Bridge Street]], past [[The Queen Victoria]] public house and around Albert Square.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/82482/EastEnders-Billy-Mitchell-Does-Nation-Proud-As-He-Carries-Olympic-Torch-Through-Walford |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130123003156/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/82482/EastEnders-Billy-Mitchell-Does-Nation-Proud-As-He-Carries-Olympic-Torch-Through-Walford |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 January 2013 |title=EastEnders' Billy Mitchell Does Nation Proud As He Carries Olympic Torch Through Walford |last=Rajani |first=Deepika |date=24 July 2012 |publisher=Entertainmentwise |access-date=10 August 2012 }}</ref>


The majority of the episode was filmed in advance,{{cn|date=December 2019}} and the whole episode was directed by [[Clive Arnold]], who said, "As the only drama asked to be involved with the Olympic Torch Relay, it is a huge honour for ''EastEnders'' and for everyone involved—a truly once in a lifetime opportunity. I was so excited and thrilled when I was asked to be part of the episode and I know that every member of cast and crew feel exactly the same way."<ref name="Digital Spy Tom Eames">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a394569/eastenders-live-olympic-torch-sequence-to-include-31-regular-stars.html|title='EastEnders' live Olympic torch sequence to include 31 regular stars|last=Eames|first=Tom|date=23 July 2012|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|accessdate=2 August 2012}}</ref> The live scenes used 19 cameras, along with the 31 regular cast members, plus 11 child cast members and at least 450 extras.<ref name="Guardian Press Association" /> As the programme switched from pre-recorded to live scenes, Fenwick, in character, winked at the camera and said "Here we go!"<ref name="Belfast Telegraph">{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/torch-tops-the-bill-in-eastenders-16188955.html|title=Torch tops the bill in EastEnders|date=24 July 2012|work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]|accessdate=9 August 2012}}</ref> Part of the relay was shown on [[BBC News (TV channel)|BBC News]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/223891-eastenders-olympic-flame-carried-through-square/|title=EastEnders: Olympic flame carried through Square|date=24 July 2012|work=ATV Today UK|publisher=ATV Network|accessdate=9 August 2012}}</ref>
The majority of the episode was filmed in advance,{{cn|date=December 2019}} and the whole episode was directed by [[Clive Arnold]], who said, "As the only drama asked to be involved with the Olympic Torch Relay, it is a huge honour for ''EastEnders'' and for everyone involved—a truly once in a lifetime opportunity. I was so excited and thrilled when I was asked to be part of the episode and I know that every member of cast and crew feel exactly the same way."<ref name="Digital Spy Tom Eames">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a394569/eastenders-live-olympic-torch-sequence-to-include-31-regular-stars.html|title='EastEnders' live Olympic torch sequence to include 31 regular stars|last=Eames|first=Tom|date=23 July 2012|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref> The live scenes used 19 cameras, along with the 31 regular cast members, plus 11 child cast members and at least 450 extras.<ref name="Guardian Press Association" /> As the programme switched from pre-recorded to live scenes, Fenwick, in character, winked at the camera and said "Here we go!"<ref name="Belfast Telegraph">{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/torch-tops-the-bill-in-eastenders-16188955.html|title=Torch tops the bill in EastEnders|date=24 July 2012|work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]|access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref> Part of the relay was shown on [[BBC News (TV channel)|BBC News]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/223891-eastenders-olympic-flame-carried-through-square/|title=EastEnders: Olympic flame carried through Square|date=24 July 2012|work=ATV Today UK|publisher=ATV Network|access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref>


=="Billy's Olympic Nightmare"==
=="Billy's Olympic Nightmare"==
"Billy's Olympic Nightmare" is a one-off spin-off episode of ''EastEnders'', broadcast via the [[BBC Red Button]] on 16 July 2012, to tie in with the episode where Billy is a torch bearer. This episode features Billy missing several promotional events. The episode stars comedian [[Omid Djalili]] as a cab driver named Hercules, plus athletes [[Kelly Holmes]], [[Tessa Sanderson]], [[Kriss Akabusi]], [[Mark Foster (swimmer)|Mark Foster]], newsreader [[Sonali Shah]], and television presenters [[Matt Baker (television presenter)|Matt Baker]] and [[Alex Jones (Welsh presenter)|Alex Jones]] as themselves.<ref name="Nightmare">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/2012/06/billys-olympic-nightmare.shtml|title=Billy's Olympic Nightmare|last=Francis|first=Rob|date=22 June 2012|work=EastEnders|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=8 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="Nightmare credits">{{Cite episode |title= Billy's Olympic Nightmare |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ky5s0 |series= EastEnders |serieslink=EastEnders |credits= Director: Lance Kneeshaw; Executive Producer: [[Lorraine Newman]]; Writer: Daisy Coulam |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC Red Button]] |city= |airdate=16 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="Nightmare spoilers">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/2012/07/photo-spoilers-billys-running.shtml|title=Photo spoilers: Billy's running the show!|last=R|first=Katy|date=8 July 2012|work=EastEnders|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=8 August 2012}}</ref> Perry said of the spin-off, "Filming this was like a dress rehearsal of my worst nightmare! It was strange filming at [[Boleyn Ground|West Ham]] as again, like Billy, I feel it's my home. I'm over the moon to be carrying the torch through Walford, and working with the likes of Dame Kelly Holmes has made me even more excited to do so!"<ref name="Nightmare" /> Fenwick revealed that Djalili improvised some of his lines.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=This Morning episode dated 20 July 2012 |url= |series=This Morning |serieslink=This Morning (TV programme) |credits=Presented by [[Kate Thornton]] and [[John Barrowman]] |network=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] |city= |date=20 July 2012}}</ref>
"Billy's Olympic Nightmare" is a one-off spin-off episode of ''EastEnders'', broadcast via the [[BBC Red Button]] on 16 July 2012, to tie in with the episode where Billy is a torch bearer. This episode features Billy missing several promotional events. The episode stars comedian [[Omid Djalili]] as a cab driver named Hercules, plus athletes [[Kelly Holmes]], [[Tessa Sanderson]], [[Kriss Akabusi]], [[Mark Foster (swimmer)|Mark Foster]], newsreader [[Sonali Shah]], and television presenters [[Matt Baker (television presenter)|Matt Baker]] and [[Alex Jones (Welsh presenter)|Alex Jones]] as themselves.<ref name="Nightmare">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/2012/06/billys-olympic-nightmare.shtml|title=Billy's Olympic Nightmare|last=Francis|first=Rob|date=22 June 2012|work=EastEnders|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=8 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="Nightmare credits">{{Cite episode |title= Billy's Olympic Nightmare |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ky5s0 |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Director: Lance Kneeshaw; Executive Producer: [[Lorraine Newman]]; Writer: Daisy Coulam |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC Red Button]] |airdate=16 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="Nightmare spoilers">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/2012/07/photo-spoilers-billys-running.shtml|title=Photo spoilers: Billy's running the show!|last=R|first=Katy|date=8 July 2012|work=EastEnders|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=8 August 2012}}</ref> Perry said of the spin-off, "Filming this was like a dress rehearsal of my worst nightmare! It was strange filming at [[Boleyn Ground|West Ham]] as again, like Billy, I feel it's my home. I'm over the moon to be carrying the torch through Walford, and working with the likes of Dame Kelly Holmes has made me even more excited to do so!"<ref name="Nightmare" /> Fenwick revealed that Djalili improvised some of his lines.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=This Morning episode dated 20 July 2012 |series=This Morning |series-link=This Morning (TV programme) |credits=Presented by [[Kate Thornton]] and [[John Barrowman]] |network=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] |date=20 July 2012}}</ref>


Billy is set to carry the Olympic Torch through Walford and has 30 minutes before he has to collect the torch. Billy takes a taxicab to the BBC be interviewed on ''[[The One Show]]'' but discovers that the other torchbearers have already been interviewed. He is chased out of the studio by a security guard. Billy's next stop is [[Wembley Stadium]] and again he discovers the torchbearers have already left. Billy then goes to [[West Ham United F.C.]] and catches up with the other torchbearers but unfortunately Billy has lost his pass and is not allowed in. His taxi driver, Hercules, appears with Billy's pass and he takes part in the celebrations. Billy then wakes up in the hair and beauty salon in Walford and it turns out he was dreaming.
Billy is set to carry the Olympic Torch through Walford and has 30 minutes before he has to collect the torch. Billy takes a taxicab to the BBC be interviewed on ''[[The One Show]]'' but discovers that the other torchbearers have already been interviewed. He is chased out of the studio by a security guard. Billy's next stop is [[Wembley Stadium]] and again he discovers the torchbearers have already left. Billy then goes to [[West Ham United F.C.]] and catches up with the other torchbearers but unfortunately Billy has lost his pass and is not allowed in. His taxi driver, Hercules, appears with Billy's pass and he takes part in the celebrations. Billy then wakes up in the hair and beauty salon in Walford and it turns out he was dreaming.
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===Pre-broadcast===
===Pre-broadcast===
Jane Rackham from the ''[[Radio Times]]'' called the episode "highly topical",<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/rhf55/eastenders--episode-4465|title=EastEnders episode 4465 (review)|last=Rackham|first=Jane|work=[[Radio Times]]|publisher=Exponent|accessdate=3 August 2012}}</ref> while Tony Stewart from the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' said: "With London hosting the Games, this is an appropriate and ambitious story for [''East'']''Enders'' to tackle", and called both Fenwick and Harold "superb".<ref name="Daily Mirror Tony Stewart">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/eastenders-preview-the-olympic-torch-a-baby-1142279|title=The Olympic torch, a baby and a family secret: The week ahead in EastEnders|last=Stewart|first=Tony|date=21 July 2012|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|accessdate=3 August 2012}}</ref> Boyd Hilton from ''[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]'' said Billy carrying the Olympic torch was a "gimmick", and said the entire episode should have been live,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hilton|first=Boyd|date=21–27 July 2012|title=Boyd-O-Vision: Going live is always the best option|journal=[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|issue=689|page=101}}</ref> whilst ''Heat''{{'s}} Karen Edwards said Harold acting out a live birth would be "amazing", adding, "much respect goes out to Danielle who will be working hard to make the episode a success."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heatworld.com/Entertainment/TV/2012/07/Soap-news-Eastenders-to-celebrate-Olympics-with-live-birth-episode/|title=Soap news: Eastenders to celebrate Olympics with live birth episode|last=Edwards|first=Karen|date=17 July 2012|work=[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|accessdate=13 August 2012}}</ref>
Jane Rackham from the ''[[Radio Times]]'' called the episode "highly topical",<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/rhf55/eastenders--episode-4465|title=EastEnders episode 4465 (review)|last=Rackham|first=Jane|work=[[Radio Times]]|publisher=Exponent|access-date=3 August 2012}}</ref> while Tony Stewart from the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' said: "With London hosting the Games, this is an appropriate and ambitious story for [''East'']''Enders'' to tackle", and called both Fenwick and Harold "superb".<ref name="Daily Mirror Tony Stewart">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/eastenders-preview-the-olympic-torch-a-baby-1142279|title=The Olympic torch, a baby and a family secret: The week ahead in EastEnders|last=Stewart|first=Tony|date=21 July 2012|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|access-date=3 August 2012}}</ref> Boyd Hilton from ''[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]'' said Billy carrying the Olympic torch was a "gimmick", and said the entire episode should have been live,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hilton|first=Boyd|date=21–27 July 2012|title=Boyd-O-Vision: Going live is always the best option|journal=[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|issue=689|page=101}}</ref> whilst ''Heat''{{'s}} Karen Edwards said Harold acting out a live birth would be "amazing", adding, "much respect goes out to Danielle who will be working hard to make the episode a success."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heatworld.com/Entertainment/TV/2012/07/Soap-news-Eastenders-to-celebrate-Olympics-with-live-birth-episode/|title=Soap news: Eastenders to celebrate Olympics with live birth episode|last=Edwards|first=Karen|date=17 July 2012|work=[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref>


===Post-broadcast===
===Post-broadcast===
Talking about Billy being stuck on the train, the ''Elstree & Borehamwood Times'' wrote: "Viewers sat biting their nails on tenterhooks, waiting to see if he would make it back to Walford in time."<ref name="Elstree & Borehamwood Times" /> Karen Edwards from ''Heat'' called the episode "quite the special night" and said that it was "Not an easy task" for Fenwick. She called his wink "cheeky" and "brilliant", saying it "just showed how real the whole thing was". She added that it was "emotional" to watch, and said that Harold "did the best fake birth screaming we've seen in a long while. [...] Pretty impressive work, we're sure you'll agree."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heatworld.com/Entertainment/TV/2012/07/Eastenders-live-episode-Did-you-see-Billy-Mitchell-wink-at-the-camera/|title=Eastenders live episode: Did you see Billy Mitchell wink at the camera?|last=Edwards|first=Karen|date=24 July 2012|work=[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|accessdate=9 August 2012}}</ref> Matt Brito from [[Comedy Central UK]] said the fact that nothing went wrong in the live broadcast was "boring".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.comedycentral.co.uk/news/the-olympic-torch-appears-on-eastenders-50b98360/ |title=The Olympic Torch Appears on EastEnders |last=Brito |first=Matt |date=23 July 2012 |publisher=[[Comedy Central UK]] |accessdate=10 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803082014/http://www.comedycentral.co.uk/news/the-olympic-torch-appears-on-eastenders-50b98360 |archivedate=3 August 2012 }}</ref> Laura Morgan from ''[[All About Soap]]'' said the live segment was "seamless", saying it deserved a gold medal for "the best thing on TV last night". She said she loved Fenwick's wink to the camera and praised Harold, saying the birth finished off the live segment "perfectly", adding: "Hats off to relative newbie Danielle Harold (aka Lola) for making the birth scenes look so realistic on live TV... That's no mean feat!"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.allaboutsoap.co.uk/blog/eastenders-billys-olympic-glory/|title=EastEnders: Billy's Olympic glory!|last=Morgan|first=Laura|date=24 July 2012|work=[[All About Soap]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref> She also said it was "the perfect way to kick off the 2012 Olympic Games".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Morgan|first=Laura|date=18–31 August 2012|title=Mailbox|journal=[[All About Soap]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|issue=277|page=62}}</ref> After the episode, five of the ten top trending topics on social networking site [[Twitter]] related to the live event.<ref name="Daily Mirror Cockerton">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/olympic-torch-eastenders-billy-mitchell-1156543|title=Olympic torch: EastEnders Billy Mitchell carries flame through Albert Square live on soap|last=Cockerton|first=Paul|date=23 July 2012|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|accessdate=8 August 2012}}</ref>
Talking about Billy being stuck on the train, the ''Elstree & Borehamwood Times'' wrote: "Viewers sat biting their nails on tenterhooks, waiting to see if he would make it back to Walford in time."<ref name="Elstree & Borehamwood Times" /> Karen Edwards from ''Heat'' called the episode "quite the special night" and said that it was "Not an easy task" for Fenwick. She called his wink "cheeky" and "brilliant", saying it "just showed how real the whole thing was". She added that it was "emotional" to watch, and said that Harold "did the best fake birth screaming we've seen in a long while. [...] Pretty impressive work, we're sure you'll agree."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heatworld.com/Entertainment/TV/2012/07/Eastenders-live-episode-Did-you-see-Billy-Mitchell-wink-at-the-camera/|title=Eastenders live episode: Did you see Billy Mitchell wink at the camera?|last=Edwards|first=Karen|date=24 July 2012|work=[[Heat (magazine)|Heat]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref> Matt Brito from [[Comedy Central UK]] said the fact that nothing went wrong in the live broadcast was "boring".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.comedycentral.co.uk/news/the-olympic-torch-appears-on-eastenders-50b98360/ |title=The Olympic Torch Appears on EastEnders |last=Brito |first=Matt |date=23 July 2012 |publisher=[[Comedy Central UK]] |access-date=10 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803082014/http://www.comedycentral.co.uk/news/the-olympic-torch-appears-on-eastenders-50b98360 |archive-date=3 August 2012 }}</ref> Laura Morgan from ''[[All About Soap]]'' said the live segment was "seamless", saying it deserved a gold medal for "the best thing on TV last night". She said she loved Fenwick's wink to the camera and praised Harold, saying the birth finished off the live segment "perfectly", adding: "Hats off to relative newbie Danielle Harold (aka Lola) for making the birth scenes look so realistic on live TV... That's no mean feat!"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.allaboutsoap.co.uk/blog/eastenders-billys-olympic-glory/|title=EastEnders: Billy's Olympic glory!|last=Morgan|first=Laura|date=24 July 2012|work=[[All About Soap]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref> She also said it was "the perfect way to kick off the 2012 Olympic Games".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Morgan|first=Laura|date=18–31 August 2012|title=Mailbox|journal=[[All About Soap]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|issue=277|page=62}}</ref> After the episode, five of the ten top trending topics on social networking site [[Twitter]] related to the live event.<ref name="Daily Mirror Cockerton">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/olympic-torch-eastenders-billy-mitchell-1156543|title=Olympic torch: EastEnders Billy Mitchell carries flame through Albert Square live on soap|last=Cockerton|first=Paul|date=23 July 2012|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|access-date=8 August 2012}}</ref>


===Ratings===
===Ratings===
Overnight ratings showed that the episode was watched by 7.32&nbsp;million people, a 31% share of the total viewing audience for that time, and the live section peaked at 7.9&nbsp;million (32.6%). A repeat on [[BBC Three]] received overnight ratings of 1.04&nbsp;million (6.1%). However, this was down on the first episode shown that day, which received 7.59&nbsp;million viewers, and rival soap opera ''[[Coronation Street]]'', whose two episodes broadcast on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] that day received overnight ratings of 7.68&nbsp;million and 7.8&nbsp;million respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a394943/eastenders-attracts-bumper-ratings-for-olympics-live-special.html|title='EastEnders' attracts bumper ratings for Olympics live special|last=Millar|first=Paul|date=24 July 2012|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|accessdate=9 August 2012}}</ref> Official ratings from the [[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]] showed that the episode gained 8.11&nbsp;million viewers. It was the fourth most-watched programme on BBC One that week and the fifth most-watched programme on UK television that week, beaten by the previous episode of ''EastEnders'', the first episode of ''Coronation Street'' broadcast on that day, and the following Friday's broadcasts of the [[2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony]] and opening ceremony countdown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?|title=Weekly Top 30 Programmes|publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]]|accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref> The BBC Three repeat officially received 1.1&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10?|title=Weekly Top 10 Programmes|publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]]|accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref>
Overnight ratings showed that the episode was watched by 7.32&nbsp;million people, a 31% share of the total viewing audience for that time, and the live section peaked at 7.9&nbsp;million (32.6%). A repeat on [[BBC Three]] received overnight ratings of 1.04&nbsp;million (6.1%). However, this was down on the first episode shown that day, which received 7.59&nbsp;million viewers, and rival soap opera ''[[Coronation Street]]'', whose two episodes broadcast on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] that day received overnight ratings of 7.68&nbsp;million and 7.8&nbsp;million respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a394943/eastenders-attracts-bumper-ratings-for-olympics-live-special.html|title='EastEnders' attracts bumper ratings for Olympics live special|last=Millar|first=Paul|date=24 July 2012|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|access-date=9 August 2012}}</ref> Official ratings from the [[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]] showed that the episode gained 8.11&nbsp;million viewers. It was the fourth most-watched programme on BBC One that week and the fifth most-watched programme on UK television that week, beaten by the previous episode of ''EastEnders'', the first episode of ''Coronation Street'' broadcast on that day, and the following Friday's broadcasts of the [[2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony]] and opening ceremony countdown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?|title=Weekly Top 30 Programmes|publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]]|access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref> The BBC Three repeat officially received 1.1&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10?|title=Weekly Top 10 Programmes|publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]]|access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref>


===Award nominations===
===Award nominations===
In February 2013, the episode was nominated for an ''[[All About Soap]]'' award for Best Episode, under the title "Billy and the Olympic Torch".<ref name="All About Soap 2013 noms">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/posts/All-About-Soap-Awards-2013|title=All About Soap Awards 2013|last=F|first=Rob|date=11 February 2013|work=EastEnders|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=11 February 2013}}</ref> In April 2013, the episode was nominated for "Spectacular Scene of the Year" at [[The British Soap Awards]], for Billy carrying the torch.<ref name="BSA2013 shortlist">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a475074/coronation-street-leads-british-soap-awards-shortlist.html|title='Coronation Street' leads British Soap Awards shortlist|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=22 April 2013|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|accessdate=22 April 2013}}</ref>
In February 2013, the episode was nominated for an ''[[All About Soap]]'' award for Best Episode, under the title "Billy and the Olympic Torch".<ref name="All About Soap 2013 noms">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/posts/All-About-Soap-Awards-2013|title=All About Soap Awards 2013|last=F|first=Rob|date=11 February 2013|work=EastEnders|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=11 February 2013}}</ref> In April 2013, the episode was nominated for "Spectacular Scene of the Year" at [[The British Soap Awards]], for Billy carrying the torch.<ref name="BSA2013 shortlist">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a475074/coronation-street-leads-british-soap-awards-shortlist.html|title='Coronation Street' leads British Soap Awards shortlist|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=22 April 2013|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|access-date=22 April 2013}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 19:20, 25 November 2020

"Episode 4466"
EastEnders episode
Billy Mitchell lights the Olympic Torch.
Episode no.Episode 4466
Directed byClive Arnold
Written byMatt Evans
Original air date23 July 2012 (2012-07-23)
Running time30 minutes
List of EastEnders episodes

Episode 4466 of the BBC soap opera EastEnders was broadcast on BBC One on 23 July 2012, between 9pm and 9.30pm. It was written by Matt Evans, directed by Clive Arnold, and executively produced by Lorraine Newman.[1] It included seven minutes of live footage, during which the character of Billy Mitchell, played by Perry Fenwick, carried the Olympic Torch as an official torch bearer as part of the official torch relay for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Lola Pearce, played by Danielle Harold, gave birth to her daughter. The storyline for the episode was announced in November 2011, with the fact that Lola would give birth being reported in July 2012. The episode received positive reviews, with Karen Edwards from Heat calling it "special" and praising Harold's performance, and Jane Rackham from the Radio Times calling it "highly topical", though Boyd Hilton from Heat felt that Billy's torch bearing was a "gimmick" and the whole episode should have been live. It was watched by an average of 7.32 million people on its initial broadcast. It was accompanied by a special, one-off BBC Red Button episode called "Billy's Olympic Nightmare". The episode received an All About Soap award nomination for Best Episode, under the name "Billy and the Olympic Torch", and a British Soap Award nomination for "Spectacular Scene of the Year", both in 2013.

Plot

Selected as a torch bearer for the 2012 London Olympics, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) is stuck on the London Underground with members of his local football team because someone pulled the emergency stop when an argument broke out. The train starts but police are waiting at the tube station and will not let them through. Billy manages to escape, and frantically tries to get ready for the torch. Meanwhile, Billy's granddaughter, Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), is in labour in a local fast food restaurant, refusing an ambulance, and refusing to give birth until she knows Billy has carried the torch and can be there. After some delays, Billy is able to carry the torch, watched by his friends and neighbours. He then hears that Lola is in labour, so rushes to the restaurant, where Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) delivers the baby.

Cast

Announcement

In November 2011, storylines show Billy selected as a torch bearer for the 2012 Summer Olympics. At the same time, it was announced that in reality, Fenwick would carry the torch through the fictional setting of Albert Square, with live footage shown in the second episode on 23 July 2012. London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: "The announcement is a great addition to the Olympic Torch Relay Route. I'm sure the people of Walford will now start planning their celebrations. Along with people right round the UK, the residents of Albert Square will be getting involved to make this their moment to shine." Fenwick said, "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, 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."[2] He later added: "I think it's great that EastEnders has done this storyline, because it would be totally wrong and remiss not to acknowledge the biggest event in our lifetime, which technically—in fictional land—is five minutes up the road from Walford."[3] Roger Mosey, the BBC's director for London 2012, said, "I like this, in media terms, that it's the real torch, the real procession going to Walford. It will be live when it goes there and so potentially you can broadcast EastEnders for three or four minutes on the News Channel because the torch being in Albert Square is a news event. I like the idea of the real torch being in a fictional place."[4]

On 15 July 2012, it was announced that a seven-minute live segment at the end of episode would show Billy taking part in the relay, followed by Lola giving birth to her daughter, while Billy rushes to be there. Harold would become only the second actress to act out a birth during a live episode of a soap opera, following Coronation Street's Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Stape) in the live 50th anniversary episode broadcast in December 2010.[5] An insider from the show stated, "No one has tried anything like this on EastEnders live before so it is a real challenge to get the emotion of the situation right. It will be the toughest thing Danielle has done in her acting career."[5]

Production

Perry Fenwick (Billy Mitchell, pictured) said he was "worried" about carrying the Olympic Flame in the live section of the episode.

Carl Doran, the creative head of the Torch coverage across the BBC, revealed in a blog on BBC Online, that the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and EastEnders production team had worked for two years to organise the flame being shown live on EastEnders, saying "We've been looking into the practicalities and many challenges of getting the torch to Walford in time for an EastEnders slot while it makes a whistle-stop tour through London's 32 boroughs in the final week of the 70-day journey around the UK. We also discussed the idea of trying to record it on tape like a traditional EastEnders episode as well, but we always wanted it to be as authentic as possible and so it will be the real torch and flame and it will happen live. It's very exciting, and even more so because live broadcasting adds an extra set of challenges to a top drama."[6]

Rehearsals for the live section of the episode started on 21 July 2012 and full dress rehearsals on 22 July,[7][8] though there was some tentative rehearsal time before that when they were also busy filming other episodes.[3] Fenwick said of his rehearsals, "Summer arrives just in time for me to complete my 24th circuit of Albert Square and I'm sweltering. On the plus side, I'm starting to see abs, have buns of steel and the show is looking good too!"[7][8] He had to check the route for potholes beforehand, as well as making sure he knew his lines, and said he was looking forward to it being over.[3] He was worried about carrying the torch during the live broadcast, as he may have dropped it or it could have gone out. He stated that he, as an actor, was feeling more nervous than his character.[3]

Harold said of the rehearsals, "I have known about this live episode for such a long time but all of a sudden it has crept up on us. I am really nervous but now we have started rehearsing, I am feeling equally excited. It will definitely be an experience and I hope Perry runs smoothly!"[8] She also said she was "terrified" of acting out the birth, saying she would prefer to give birth in real life. She said that filming the pre-recorded labour scenes meant she "was knackered after screaming and crying and pretending to push all day."[9] In an interview with Digital Spy, she said that she was "really, really nervous" and that the prospect of acting the birth was "very scary", but added, "I really appreciate that they've given me the opportunity, especially considering that I haven't been here at EastEnders for that long. It's really nice that they've trusted me with it, so hopefully I'll do it justice! It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll go well."[10] To help prepare, she asked several women for advice, including her mother, and was told "It's the worst pain you can ever imagine!"[10] She found it "quite difficult" to imagine what it would be like to act out as she has no children, but had watched Channel 4 show One Born Every Minute to help, as she did not want to "overdo the scene or make it look really fake."[10]

The episode was part of the official torch relay, and Fenwick ran with the real torch protection team[11] dressed as an official torch bearer.[12] The torch made a special detour from London[13] to the EastEnders set in BBC Elstree, Borehamwood.[14] Fenwick's route saw him carry the torch from the fictional location of Bridge Street, past The Queen Victoria public house and around Albert Square.[15]

The majority of the episode was filmed in advance,[citation needed] and the whole episode was directed by Clive Arnold, who said, "As the only drama asked to be involved with the Olympic Torch Relay, it is a huge honour for EastEnders and for everyone involved—a truly once in a lifetime opportunity. I was so excited and thrilled when I was asked to be part of the episode and I know that every member of cast and crew feel exactly the same way."[8] The live scenes used 19 cameras, along with the 31 regular cast members, plus 11 child cast members and at least 450 extras.[7] As the programme switched from pre-recorded to live scenes, Fenwick, in character, winked at the camera and said "Here we go!"[16] Part of the relay was shown on BBC News.[17]

"Billy's Olympic Nightmare"

"Billy's Olympic Nightmare" is a one-off spin-off episode of EastEnders, broadcast via the BBC Red Button on 16 July 2012, to tie in with the episode where Billy is a torch bearer. This episode features Billy missing several promotional events. The episode stars comedian Omid Djalili as a cab driver named Hercules, plus athletes Kelly Holmes, Tessa Sanderson, Kriss Akabusi, Mark Foster, newsreader Sonali Shah, and television presenters Matt Baker and Alex Jones as themselves.[18][19][20] Perry said of the spin-off, "Filming this was like a dress rehearsal of my worst nightmare! It was strange filming at West Ham as again, like Billy, I feel it's my home. I'm over the moon to be carrying the torch through Walford, and working with the likes of Dame Kelly Holmes has made me even more excited to do so!"[18] Fenwick revealed that Djalili improvised some of his lines.[21]

Billy is set to carry the Olympic Torch through Walford and has 30 minutes before he has to collect the torch. Billy takes a taxicab to the BBC be interviewed on The One Show but discovers that the other torchbearers have already been interviewed. He is chased out of the studio by a security guard. Billy's next stop is Wembley Stadium and again he discovers the torchbearers have already left. Billy then goes to West Ham United F.C. and catches up with the other torchbearers but unfortunately Billy has lost his pass and is not allowed in. His taxi driver, Hercules, appears with Billy's pass and he takes part in the celebrations. Billy then wakes up in the hair and beauty salon in Walford and it turns out he was dreaming.

Reception

Pre-broadcast

Jane Rackham from the Radio Times called the episode "highly topical",[22] while Tony Stewart from the Daily Mirror said: "With London hosting the Games, this is an appropriate and ambitious story for [East]Enders to tackle", and called both Fenwick and Harold "superb".[23] Boyd Hilton from Heat said Billy carrying the Olympic torch was a "gimmick", and said the entire episode should have been live,[24] whilst Heat's Karen Edwards said Harold acting out a live birth would be "amazing", adding, "much respect goes out to Danielle who will be working hard to make the episode a success."[25]

Post-broadcast

Talking about Billy being stuck on the train, the Elstree & Borehamwood Times wrote: "Viewers sat biting their nails on tenterhooks, waiting to see if he would make it back to Walford in time."[14] Karen Edwards from Heat called the episode "quite the special night" and said that it was "Not an easy task" for Fenwick. She called his wink "cheeky" and "brilliant", saying it "just showed how real the whole thing was". She added that it was "emotional" to watch, and said that Harold "did the best fake birth screaming we've seen in a long while. [...] Pretty impressive work, we're sure you'll agree."[26] Matt Brito from Comedy Central UK said the fact that nothing went wrong in the live broadcast was "boring".[27] Laura Morgan from All About Soap said the live segment was "seamless", saying it deserved a gold medal for "the best thing on TV last night". She said she loved Fenwick's wink to the camera and praised Harold, saying the birth finished off the live segment "perfectly", adding: "Hats off to relative newbie Danielle Harold (aka Lola) for making the birth scenes look so realistic on live TV... That's no mean feat!"[28] She also said it was "the perfect way to kick off the 2012 Olympic Games".[29] After the episode, five of the ten top trending topics on social networking site Twitter related to the live event.[12]

Ratings

Overnight ratings showed that the episode was watched by 7.32 million people, a 31% share of the total viewing audience for that time, and the live section peaked at 7.9 million (32.6%). A repeat on BBC Three received overnight ratings of 1.04 million (6.1%). However, this was down on the first episode shown that day, which received 7.59 million viewers, and rival soap opera Coronation Street, whose two episodes broadcast on ITV that day received overnight ratings of 7.68 million and 7.8 million respectively.[30] Official ratings from the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board showed that the episode gained 8.11 million viewers. It was the fourth most-watched programme on BBC One that week and the fifth most-watched programme on UK television that week, beaten by the previous episode of EastEnders, the first episode of Coronation Street broadcast on that day, and the following Friday's broadcasts of the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony and opening ceremony countdown.[31] The BBC Three repeat officially received 1.1 million viewers.[32]

Award nominations

In February 2013, the episode was nominated for an All About Soap award for Best Episode, under the title "Billy and the Olympic Torch".[33] In April 2013, the episode was nominated for "Spectacular Scene of the Year" at The British Soap Awards, for Billy carrying the torch.[34]

See also

References

  1. ^ "EastEnders Episode 4466". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  2. ^ "The Olympic flame comes to Walford!". BBC. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Kilkelly, Daniel (17 July 2012). "'EastEnders': Perry Fenwick talks Billy's Olympic plot – interview". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  4. ^ "London 2012: BBC launches Olympic programmes". BBC News. BBC Online. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  5. ^ a b Methven, Nicola (15 July 2012). "Holding the baby: EastEnders' Lola in live birth for special Olympics episode". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  6. ^ Mosey, Roger; Doran, Carl (15 November 2011). "Olympic Torch coming to Walford". BBC Online. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Press Association (23 July 2012). "EastEnders to glimpse Olympic flame as torch relay reaches Walford". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d Eames, Tom (23 July 2012). "'EastEnders' live Olympic torch sequence to include 31 regular stars". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  9. ^ "EastEnders' Danielle on Lola's big birth day!". What's on TV. IPC Media. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  10. ^ a b c Kilkelly, Daniel (18 July 2012). "'EastEnders' Danielle Harold teases Lola baby arrival – interview". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  11. ^ "Olympic torch made a live appearance on Eastenders". Newsround. BBC Online. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  12. ^ a b Cockerton, Paul (23 July 2012). "Olympic torch: EastEnders Billy Mitchell carries flame through Albert Square live on soap". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  13. ^ "Olympic torch: Reality and fiction blur in London". BBC News. BBC Online. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  14. ^ a b Slater, Anna (24 July 2012). "Olympic torch comes to Borehamwood during EastEnders live show". Elstree & Borehamwood Times. Newsquest. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  15. ^ Rajani, Deepika (24 July 2012). "EastEnders' Billy Mitchell Does Nation Proud As He Carries Olympic Torch Through Walford". Entertainmentwise. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  16. ^ "Torch tops the bill in EastEnders". The Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  17. ^ "EastEnders: Olympic flame carried through Square". ATV Today UK. ATV Network. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  18. ^ a b Francis, Rob (22 June 2012). "Billy's Olympic Nightmare". EastEnders. BBC Online. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  19. ^ Director: Lance Kneeshaw; Executive Producer: Lorraine Newman; Writer: Daisy Coulam (16 July 2012). "Billy's Olympic Nightmare". EastEnders. BBC. BBC Red Button.
  20. ^ R, Katy (8 July 2012). "Photo spoilers: Billy's running the show!". EastEnders. BBC Online. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  21. ^ Presented by Kate Thornton and John Barrowman (20 July 2012). "This Morning episode dated 20 July 2012". This Morning. ITV.
  22. ^ Rackham, Jane. "EastEnders episode 4465 (review)". Radio Times. Exponent. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  23. ^ Stewart, Tony (21 July 2012). "The Olympic torch, a baby and a family secret: The week ahead in EastEnders". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  24. ^ Hilton, Boyd (21–27 July 2012). "Boyd-O-Vision: Going live is always the best option". Heat (689). Bauer Media Group: 101.
  25. ^ Edwards, Karen (17 July 2012). "Soap news: Eastenders to celebrate Olympics with live birth episode". Heat. Bauer Media Group. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  26. ^ Edwards, Karen (24 July 2012). "Eastenders live episode: Did you see Billy Mitchell wink at the camera?". Heat. Bauer Media Group. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  27. ^ Brito, Matt (23 July 2012). "The Olympic Torch Appears on EastEnders". Comedy Central UK. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  28. ^ Morgan, Laura (24 July 2012). "EastEnders: Billy's Olympic glory!". All About Soap. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  29. ^ Morgan, Laura (18–31 August 2012). "Mailbox". All About Soap (277). Hearst Magazines UK: 62.
  30. ^ Millar, Paul (24 July 2012). "'EastEnders' attracts bumper ratings for Olympics live special". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  31. ^ "Weekly Top 30 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  32. ^ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  33. ^ F, Rob (11 February 2013). "All About Soap Awards 2013". EastEnders. BBC Online. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  34. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (22 April 2013). "'Coronation Street' leads British Soap Awards shortlist". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
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