Its official! We are now exactly 1 year away from the London 2012 Olympic Games and the United Kingdom’s gold medal hopes are being roundly touted as ‘plausible’ in some circles. And why not? We are a nation capable of producing some fine sporting talent over the years, this should be no exception!

But half the fun in any Olympiad is the emergence of ‘The Underdog’. Someone with no real right to be stood amongst the world’s elite. Someone plucky, determined, with the heart of lion but ultimately completely hopeless (actually, that sums up British athletes fairly well?)

Britain’s best or worst export was of course Eddie ‘the eagle’ Edwards. He famously made it to the 1988 Calgary Olympics; placing last in both the 70m and 90m events. “I was 58 out of 59th, officially. The 59th guy broke his leg the day before.” Said Edwards, and perhaps it was this never-say-die spirit that has now given him his own biopic.

A film chronicling the life story of Edwards has been planned since 2007, with Steve Coogan being originally lined up to play the title role. Edwards said he was pleased with the choice but also that Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise would be better suited. In 2009, it was announced that Rupert Grint – of Harry Potter fame – would now take the lead.

I’m looking forward to the challenge because he’s such a big character,” said Grint. “I’ve never skied in my life, so I guess that might be a problem… But I’m sure I’ll pick it up”

Hopefully this coming cinematic and Oscar contending experience will inspire those budding ski jumpers amongst you to test your legs for the 2014 Winter Olympics – a trip with Ski Bespoke would be the perfect place to start.