PARMINDER NAGRA'S NEW ROLE AS OLYMPIC TORCH BEARER
(25 June 2004)

'Bend it Like Beckham' & 'ER' star, Parminder Nagra, took on a new role as an Olympic Torch Bearer on Saturday 26 June 2004 at the request of London Mayor, Ken Livingstone. Other Celebrity and Olympian torchbearers included Heather Mills-McCartney, Matthew Pinsent, Kriss Akabusi, Michael Watson and Ade Adepitan who were joined by around 450 guests at City Hall to celebrate their selection to carry the Olympic Flame on its 48km route through London.

People from across the UK, who were selected to carry the Olympic Flame through the streets of London, attended a special reception at City Hall on Friday night organised in their honour. 140 torchbearers of all ages were selected to carry the Olympic Flame on the historic London leg of this unique global event and ranged from 'extraordinary ordinary' people to Olympians and celebrities including Steve Redgrave, Sharron Davies, Tim Henman, Frank Bruno, Richard Branson, and Paralympians Sarah Bailey, Chris Holmes and Ade Adepitan.

Addressing torchbearers and volunteers on the eve of the big day, the Mayor said: 'This is the first time the Olympic Torch Relay has come to the UK in more than 50 years. It will be an honour for all torchbearers as well as for Britain to welcome the Olympic Flame. London is the city where the world comes together - nearly every nation taking part in this summer’s Athens 2004 Olympic Games will find a community here to cheer them on. Whether you are carrying the Flame or cheering it on I hope you have a brilliant day.'

Former Wimbledon Champion Virginia Wade replaced Audley Harrison and carred the Olympic Flame out of the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis Club following a handover from Tim Henman.

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