Eddie the Eagle’ Edwards is set to have a hand in next February’s Winter Olympics — but this time he will remain firmly rooted to the ground. Edwards, a ski jumping plasterer who shot to fame at the 1988 Games in Calgary despite finishing last in both events in which he entered, will carry the Olympic flame in Winnipeg on January 7.

Former Great Britain ski jumper Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards has revealed he has had surgery to reduce the size of his famously large chin.

Edwards captured the nation’s imagination when, as the only member of the British team, he came last at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary sporting his distinctive thick spectacles and moustache.

The Cheltenham-born amateur’s failure only increased his popularity, and he enjoyed celerity status throughout much of the 1990s and his name remains synonymous with the sport in Britain.

Harry Potter star Rupert Grint is to play ski-jump legend Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards in a movie.

Rupert, 21, is best known for playing cheeky Ron Weasley. Now he has taken Steve Coogan’s place in the film, which tells the story of how plasterer Eddie found fame at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Eddie represented Great Britain in the 70-metre and 90-metre ski jumps… and came last in both.