East End to give us must-see reality TV

For a sense of perspective, you rarely need to look any further than Billy Mitchell.

Things could be worse, you tend to conclude, when you consider the catalogue of violence, rejection, scorn, blackmail and hospitalisation Billy has been subjected to over the years.

But the redemptive powers of sport were in evidence this week when Billy enjoyed a rare day in the sun carrying the Olympic torch through Albert Square. Knowing their audience well, however, his paymasters had a little more work in store for the rare-do-well. A cameo in British sporting history was one thing, but to keep viewers watching you still have to throw in the emergency birth of a great granddaughter.