Matt Smith bears the Olympic TorchBookmark and Share

Saturday, 26 May 2012 - Reported by Chuck Foster
This morning saw the Olympic Torch Relay commence on Day Eight of its travels around the United Kingdom, kicking off from outside the Norwegian Church at Cardiff Bay - with a familiar face to take on the mantle of bearer! Matt Smith was up bright and early to play his part in the celebratory journey, and spoke on BBC Breakfast about how he felt on his latest role and the crowd that gathered to cheer him on:
It's a great privilege to be involved, I can't quite believe that people have actually turned up, I thought I'd just be carrying it around, waving to the ducks! I'm thrilled that so many people have come out, and it's really nice that the weather's nice - well done weather! I just think it's a wonderful thing anyway, I think the Olympics, the build up, the sense of national focus, with the Euros (Euro 2012) as well, I'm really excited about the summer of sport that we've got ahead, and I think things like this are just wonderful. And the Jubilee! I'm way into this whole sense of national coming together, street parties and things like this.

It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime things, and for me personally to have the privilege of carrying it ... it's one of those rare opportunities that has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the fact that I play the Doctor.


(additional photos thanks to Alun Vega, James Hemery, Andy Davidson; plus a video of Matt starting from H Byrnes)


When asked about his predecessor's carrying the torch before (the Tenth Doctor in Fear Her), Matt commented "I'm pleased I got my turn!"

BBC Newslinks: Matt Smith carries flame (26 May 2012); Watch the Relay live (26 May 2012); Gallery (26 May 2012); Blog (26 May 2012); BBC Coverage of Torch arrival in Cardiff (25 May 2012)




FILTER: - Special Events - Matt Smith