Newcastle Olympic Torch

If you're expecting the football, I'm not Gary Lineker. Why not?

football we on at 7:30pm. Get off at 7:45pm, England versus Sweden.

Bear Grylls as as a be speak perched on top of the Tyne Bridge

and we're not jealous because it looks pretty hairy up there. This

is a man that is well experience and he knows about adversity. He

has wrestled alligators, gone down the Zambezi, all sorts of things.

He has died into a frozen lake in Siberia. I think he has backed all

kinds of things to keep himself hydrated. There is a real sense of

responsibility here with the Olympic flame because he does not

want it to bowl-out. He will not be going down too quickly. We will all

be watching avidly to see how it goes. If you go up to the stock

span, it is some height. Quite a big reception awaiting it including

a bunch of boy scouts because Bear Grylls, as well as many other

things, is the chief scout. He is also an Honorary Lieutenant for the

Naval Reserve so there will be some We are here on the Tyne Bridge with

the torch bearer who is going to hand the Olympic flame over to Bear

Grylls was up the Kerry Packer is coming back down to pick up. Maria

Espinosa As an interesting character. She won a medal in Tae

Kwon Do and the Olympics back in 2006. She is carrying the flame now

and then a second she is going to step into that cherrypicker which

will take up to meet Bear Grylls at the top. The flame is shining

brightly as she steps in the er and I hope she has a head for heights

because she is going to need it. Once she gets up there, she is

going to be a roughly 200 ft above the River Tyne.

We're going to go to our reporter on the south side of the River Tyne.

The crowd around the edge of their seats, if they had seats! They are

on tenterhooks because the only seconds away from Bear Grylls

taking that torch down to be treated by all the Boy Scouts. He

is the chief scout. I am sure he has done some daredevil things in

his time but maybe never as daredevil as this. The torch has

been tested in all sorts of wind speeds up to 50 mph. It was tested

in the BMW wind-tunnel in Munich to make sure it does not let. -- and

call-out. It has been tested in temperatures down to-five Celsius.

We do not have that problem here because the sun is out and the rain

has stopped. People were very excited and there is almost a

hushed silence here is people wet. -- as people wait.

Are fantastic scene here because it almost looks like a mini Monaco

because they are so many courts. have a better that crowd behind his

but the men shall is that Bear Grylls going down that zip wire. It

will be a fantastic moment. Are you jealous at all? You said before you

didn't fancy it will stop I will say anything on telly. You can see

him anxiously waiting for the torch to be brought up and that moment

may decide as the Test would be to torches connect and one like the

other. What it that going up in the cherrypicker as it goes up and this

thing does not have a reputation for going out. It has been up to

the top of Mount Snowden and many other torrid conditions. Even today

could because it has not been the best of weather. We're very close

to the Test moment and it is a very proud moment for both of them. The

most unusual case I think we have seen in the entire torch relay.

That torture lab -- apparently weighs something like a telegram

and I imagine that is quite heavy after being carried for such a

distance. I am sure Bear Grylls is used to that and it is within his

capabilities. In his other hand, he has a camera which will hopefully

give us some great shots. Health and safety is of paramount

importance. Massive crowds on the banks of the River Tyne. He must be

very nervous indeed and I think we are approaching that moment now. He

looks confident. He looks as cool as anything. That is a good shot of

the torch, at design done that the gang -- triangular basis of the

Olympics, and the three focuses of the London Olympics, culture,

education and sport. A lot of symbolism there. That is the shot

from Bear Grylls's camera. I hope he is not going to do it too

quickly because we really want to relish it. It has come in at

relatively on time. I have to say, this is like a more complicated

than the one last night. Hold your breath. You can do it. This spirit

A perfect landing, what can you say! A perfect landing for Bear

Grylls and that flame is still very much alive. That was fantastic, the

crowd were cheering here, absolutely amazing. He is going to

UN himself and obviously the Boy Scouts will be very much impressed

with that and hopefully we will get to have a word or two with him

before he has to get the torch on its way. He was probably the

coolest head scout ever even before that and now has a reputation will

know no bounds. I am sure the manufacturers of the torture very

relieved to see that flame still going because he was a pin down at

quite a pace. He has hoisted it a lot there just to test it further.

It will now be passed on to Jane Wood. She is the penultimate torch-

bearer of this evening's proceedings and she is a very

talented young local girl. She is a keen runner to county standards.

She is Gateshead council's nomination. She as a big advocate

of sport for girls as well. Well done to Jane Wood who will be

waiting anxiously just now for her moment. How on earth do you follow

that? And tomorrow at school, she will have quite a story to tell

about the moment she test Bear Grylls. Something like 140 Torch

bearers have been involved in this rout since last night. We're not

wishing a way this moment because we really want to savour it. There

is the case. -- kiss. They will turn on the gas in her torch and

the will like it and she will go across the Millennium Bridge again.

What a wonderful moment for this flame's journey. It started so long

ago, on 19th May. This is only a 28 and much more to come. This is one

day they all remember for a long time. Quite aside for them. Here we

go, the torch is heading our way. Let's catch up with Adrian who is

on that side of the river. Wasn't that a fantastic moment? I

gather that the torch is actually tested in the BMW wind-tunnel in

Munich to actually tested it can be blown it. It can actually withstand

winds up to 50 mph and temperatures down to-five Celsius. The

gardener's inside the design by the people who designed the beacons on

Hadrian's Wall which were all set alight in 2010. The technology has

all worked. Here we go, coming across the Millennium Bridge any

second now. This is the signature moment. Over to you.

Thank you very much. We're joined now by a few special guests to know

about about the world of the Olympics and athletics themselves

was up Steve Cram, no stranger to Olympic glory and Alison Curbridge

close-up you have to torch bearers involved? The I am trying to hear

what you're saying. I can hardly hear you, sorry. You have to torch

bearers you're closer connected with? I am going to get the chance

to do it tomorrow. I nominated gem because when I was a young athlete,

you look towards people and I remember he had won the Olympic

Games in 1960 it and I went to the end of the street when I was 10

years old. He was the first athlete I went out of my way to watch live.

He is a great character in sports and the North East. He had a wet

day to day but a fantastic day so well done to him. Her you're

carrying the torch tomorrow? Sunderland both up the probably

would not let me do it in Newcastle in case they were football fans out

there. It is about the North East generally and thankfully the rain

has held off this evening and Bear Grylls there, that was a fantastic

sight was up we are all proud in the North East. Another Test moment

there with will Hardy receiving the torch off Jane Wood. -- Will Hardy.

Bedlington put on its own party to receive the torch. It was only

there for 10 minutes but be made 7 o'clock, Olympic torch the in

Bedlington. It is raining cats and dogs and taking shape across town,

a particular type of dog. Don't call this a Chinese dragon.

We're putting the final touches on the Bedlington terrier dog, a giant

one. The get the Olympics sound- system ready. Even though the

weather is bad, there will still be a good turnout. At 8:30am, there is

a bunting attempt. 9:30am, Brazil meet Bedlington. It

is some bad time. People are enjoying that memorable and

historic moment which might not happen again. It will not rain on

their parade. Have you prepared that one? No! The Olympic torch is

still an hour and a have a way but parade preparations are still under

way. People are coming here in

wheelchairs and everything and it is amazing. The Olympic parade is

complete with what else? I dined Bedlington terrier. I did this so

no one else would get wet. Very noble of year.

The moment the whole place was waiting for. It took just a matter

of minutes to pass through here. It rained all morning and lots of

people got very wet but the overall verdict? One of the best events in

this town in years. Time then for Bedlington to dry out

and celebrate a great day. Absolutely brilliant. We have come

from Ashington. Huge crowds as we tried to get here and it was lovely.

It was raining but great to see. Delighted with the crowd that has

turned out. The amount of people in this debate has been so good. It

was just great. A real community Just to let you know as Will Hardy

makes his way to the stage here at the quayside to light if the

Olympic cauldron, the Football, if you are expecting to see that, has

been delayed till 8pm. Do not panic. Sit back and enjoy the show. Will

Hardy there. He is making his way along here. We followed will's Dave.

It is not something that happens every day. -- Will Hardy's day.

is the hardest job of the day, waking him up! Morning, well. Are

you ready for your big day? It is the torch relay. Good morning.

Morning. Are you looking forward to What's it -- what has he been like,

since he got the news? He has been very excited. He has been more

excited as time has gone on. The crowd seemed to be getting bigger

as the torture goes round the country. I think it will be an

exciting day. -- the torch. could not sleep properly last night.

I notice you have done your hair. You look lovely. Thank you. It is

kind of nerve-racking, but exciting. I am more excited. What do your

friends think? They think it's pretty good. They all wanted

It is quite a great achievement for him, being who he is, and being a

Paralympic hopeful for next year, the next four years. It is a great

thing for him to be doing. Are you jealous? A little. Everyone has the

Here is Will Hardy coming in now. No doubt it is an exciting moment

for him and his mother. Will Hardy is doing very well indeed. Here is

his mother. You must be so proud. Yes, very proud and excited. I have

not actually seen him so I am looking forward to that. Do not let

me get in the way! He is remarkable. You must be amazed. He has done

very well. This is such a big thing for him and he is so thrilled. To

see him looking so happy and confident his brilliant. He has

managed to keep his nerve in check. I think so. There were one or two

that wobbles but he has done well. The rest of the family are also

here. We have a lot of friends and family here. A lot of people from

school. It has been great. He has done very well. It is a long

stretch he is having to walk. He is coming into shot now. Everyone is

giving him a warm welcome. Here he A truly inspirational young man.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 55 seconds

Newcastle, it is time and light the Newcastle, up Will Hardy! What a

truly inspirational young man. done. I was watching you run along

and it was very emotional. How did you handle it? Well, shall I let

you get your breath back? It feels very warm up standing here. You

brought it all the way along here. You will remember this for a long

time. Yes. How did that feel to you? Really incredible. On a scale

of 1 to 10, how exciting has this been? 10, or more. That deserves

What will you do tonight to celebrate this? Something special,

probably. There is your mum and down there. She will come to see

you soon. Well done from all of us. That is such a magnificent thing

you have done. Thank you. Thank you. A very brave and inspirational

young man. I have a couple of people with me now. Amy Willmott

has been selected for our first Olympics. How do you feel seeing

the flame? It is fantastic to see all the support and everyone here

to support it. It is really exciting to see. It shows the Games

are getting closer. I am excited for the Olympics. Your first Games,

but you have a family connection? Your father competed in the 1984

Games. Yes. He swam the mad -- he saw on the medley. I am doing the

same event on the same day. I will be doing it for me and for him. I

cannot wait. Use one a personal best. Can you go even faster in

London? Frances Stead Sellers used If I can make the final, I will be

happy. Let me come to you. An amazing moment. It is fantastic. It

has been brilliant watching the flame, closer and closer. I think

it has been incredible, the number of people that have come out. It

was a bit miserable, it has been raining, but it just shows that

support. It is fantastic. It is good for the Olympians to know the

public are behind them. In terms of Will Hardy, he lost both of his

legs and have an arm through meningitis, now, looking to compete

in Rio in 2016. It must be so motivational form -- motivational

for him. The thing about having them in London, the Games, the

athletes, the British athletes train harder. I think the

Paralympics in London will be the best we have ever seen. It will

mean Paralympics GB will get better and better in the years to come.

Thank you. That is the end of the journey for the torch. It starts

tomorrow at sailing down from the stage. Even in his first day, it

has come a long way. Yesterday, we welcomed the flame to Alnwick

Castle. Today, it was the long chain of people through the rest of

Northumberland to Newcastle for the end of this first full day in our

region. Tomorrow, the flame leaves Gateshead, and goes to Sunderland.

It will go South v Durham and head to Durham racecourse. It will start

at Durham Cathedral on 17th June. We end the day in Middlesbrough for

another evening celebration. On Monday, torchbearers and watch us

will want good coastal weather. It will travel to Whitby and inland

via the railway and on through Scarborough to the Humber. Tuesday

sees the flame back in our region and back into North Yorkshire going

through Harrogate to York. On Wednesday, it is the 7th day and a

romantic one along the route. On the morning of June 20th, the Scots

guardsmen, the engine that pulled the famous 1936 Night Mail, will

carry the Olympic flame from here up the east coast lane to Thirsk.

It is a big mileage day for the flame. Back on the road for a Trans

Pennine marathon, through Richmond and Cumbria and ending the day with

Mort celebration at Carlisle. Next morning, Thursday, the flame begins

in Dumfries but travels back through Carlisle to head across

West Cumbria. After hundreds of miles through our region, we, and

1,000 proud torchbearers, will Sagar by a to the Olympic flame. --

That is one that well-travelled torch. It certainly is. It is hard

to believe it is only day 28 of 70 days. -- we have 70 days until it

reaches Stratford. It is incredible to think that flame burning there

will end up starting the Olympic Games for 2012. Incredible. I have

just come back from the stage where Will Hardy brought it in. He was so

out of rare and so elated. If you could see the excitement in his at

-- in his eyes. It will stay with him. If he needed motivation to

compete in the Paralympics, today was it. Let us go back to our

reporter. This is quite an event. Yes. I am so jealous. This is the

first time... You get asked, do you miss it? I have been doing work for

the BBC and I will be at the Games with the best seat in a house but I

am jealous. That is it. It is real and it is here. It is 12 years

since I was at the Games. Talk about the inspiration. You were

inspired by this young lady's dad. I am from Stockton and I was a

member of the Stockton aquatics before I went running. Do you all

got up to early! But I remember your dad. I do feel of now. -- old

now. Bring it on. We cannot wait. We do not know our team yet. We

have a good England. I presume if Jessica Ennis. Steve, for you, a

big day tomorrow. Are you nervous? I am really looking forward to it.

For all the time thats bid goes through, it comes the week -- that

it goes through, it comes near us. I am coaching one of the young

hopefuls from the North East. We are due to be on the track at

2:30pm. That is the only time she can train. The torch will be

passing. How inspirational all that before her? A grey day all round. -

- great day. Thank you for joining us. Something for the history books.