EastEnders to Mark Olympics with Coe Cameo?

Back in Feburary Sir Robin Wales, local mayor of Newham, suggested the BBC should spend some licence fee on updating the EastEnders titles – despite the current ones only launching in late 2009. Sir Robin wanted to see some of the London 2012 Olympic landmarks placed on the “iconic” opening titles. EastEnders have according to the Sunday Express come up with a cheaper alternative.

In 2009 the EastEnders map was updated for the first time in a decade to include moving clouds, cars and boats. The titles had last been modernised in 1999 to include the Millenium Dome.

Speaking to The Sun, Sir Robin said: “We’re disappointed that there appears to be no plans to update the EastEnders title sequence to include the transformation under way in London’s East End.” He went on to add: “The BBC is the Olympic broadcaster of the 2012 Games and I’ve asked the director-general to intervene to ensure the Stadium and other symbols of East End regeneration on put firmly – and rightly – on the map.”

While the BBC haven’t suggested they will fiddle with their fancy rotating opening titles to the soap it has been suggested today, in Adam Helliker’s gossip page in the Sunday Express, that Sebastian Coe will be appearing in EastEnders next year to mark the 2012 games.

“Shortly before the Olympics Lord Coe will be limbering up for an entirely different role: a cameo appearance in the BBC soap Eastenders.  I hear the former athlete will be promoting the games among the market traders in Albert Square.  And why not?  If the Duchess of Cornwall can pop up in The Archers, then Sebastian can have a glass of fizzy water in the Old Vic.” Says Helliker.

In 2009 London Mayor Boris Johnson made a guest appearance in the BBC saga.