South Oxhey resident Mark Sullivan is in no doubt that the months of gruelling rehearsals will be worth it when he steps out into the Olympics opening ceremony tonight (Friday).

Mr Sullivan, 42, has been travelling to rehearsals in east London every weekend for the last three months but says the commitment is nothing compared to the honour of helping to open the sporting extravaganza.

The sales manager from Bowring Green got involved after responding to an email, he auditioned in front of Danny Boyle in October and learned he had been selected in January.

He said: “It has been every weekend and a certain number of week days, it has been a huge commitment on my family and work life but my company has been very supportive.

“There is this excitement and aura around the big day, it is clearly a once in a lifetime chance.

“If you’d told me a couple of years ago I would be giving all this time up for nothing I probably wouldn’t  have believed you.”

Details of the running order have been kept a closely guarded secret but Mr Sullivan said Danny Boyle has created something worthy of the occasion.

He said: “It is a once in a lifetime chance to work with an Oscar-winning director like Danny Boyle.

“He  has been there every weekend and has worked very closely  with all the groups.

“Last night we had the final dress rehearsal which was incredible and on Friday night we are just going to push it to another level.”