Stars to carry Olympic Torch through Midlands

Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton and Big Brother's Kate Lawler will carry the Olympic Torch through the West Midlands on Saturday it was revealed today.

Popular children's star Helen, aged 28, will be torchbearer in Wolverhampton, where Blue Peter is holding a live open air event in West Park.

Reality TV star turned Kerrang! DJ Kate, aged 32, will carry the torch in Oldbury. They are among a series of big names revealed today as preparations gather pace for the historic event.

Olympic gymnast Kristian Thomas, from Wednesfield in Wolverhampton, will carry the flame in Smethwick. The 23-year-old is the current captain for Team GB.

Oldbury-born triathlete Jodie Stimpson, also 23, will carry the torch in Birmingham. She started swimming for Oldbury Swimming club when she was just four years old.

Around 750,000 people are expected to line the streets of the Midlands when the torch arrives on Saturday morning.

It begins its journey in Derby at 6.41am when Paralympian Leon Taylor, 37, will carry the flame.

The journey continues in Staffordshire where the torch will set off from the National Memorial Arboretum at 8.30am, and then travel through Streethay before arriving in Lichfield.

The famous flame will then make its way towards Bloxwich, into Walsall and then via Willenhall into Wolverhampton, then on to Dudley, Sandwell and then through to Birmingham.

Cliff Richard will carry the flame through Birmingham, before a concert at Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham headlined by The Wanted. Singer-songwriter Loick Essien and Britain's Got Talent stars Flawless will also perform.

Towards the end of the show the final torchbearer of the day, Rachel Richards, will light a Celebration Cauldron.

Councils in the region have spent months preparing activities to welcome the famous flame.