BBC One viewers were left divided as English actor Tom Hiddleston was featured in a video montage about the Olympic Games as the 2024 Opening Ceremony kicked off this evening (Friday, July 26).
The 43-year-old actor was filmed casually walking the sunny streets of Paris speaking directly to the camera about the monumental event which has been running for the past 3,000 years.
He spoke in a mixture of his mother tongue and French for the video as he travelled from London to Paris. Upon arriving in Paris with a well-fitted beige suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, the Loki star said: "This is a story which is 100 years in the making and the next chapter of it starts here, in Paris, the city of love.
"Because it all starts with love. The Olympic journey begins with the things you don't see... The early wakeups and having someone who believes in you..."
As he was speaking, clips of various Olympians from a range of nationalities, competing in a variety of sports were shown to viewers.
While some people found Tom's words about this year's sporting spectacle inspirational, others were left baffled as to why he was chosen to speak about the Games.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer wrote: "Huh? Has the BBC done this Tom Hiddleston part or is this France's effort??#"
"Why have the BBC pissed money up the wall sending Tom Hiddleston to Paris to witter inanely?" A second added.
A third noted: "The BBC could have got Gérard Depardieu but instead they went for Tom Hiddleston. #OpeningCeremony."
Another user remarked: "Yes but who among us can HONESTLY say that, when they think of the metropolitan city of Paris, the first name that springs to mind isn’t Tom Hiddleston?"
Despite the backlash, other viewers were thrilled to see Tom on their screens speaking a combination of French and English.
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One fan wrote: "Ooh the wonderful Tom Hiddleston kicking off the #2024Olympics with style - fabulous start #BBCOlympics."
A sixth remarked: "I’ve got goosebumps already and it’s just Tom Hiddleston wandering around Paris being smooth, charming and handsome. #Paris2024."
Following Tom's voiceover, Clare Balding was joined by guests in the studio to discuss this year's Olympics which is running until August 11.
The Olympics 2024 coverage can be streamed on BBC iPlayer over the coming weeks.
