EASTENDERS viewers will watch real-life footage of Jamie Borthwick running the London Marathon.
Bosses dreamt up a plotline in which his popular character Jay Brown completes the 26.2 mile course.
And they then decided to ask the actor to hit the streets for real.
Film of the star being cheered on by thousands of fans will then be screened in the BBC1 soap.
A source said: “The marathon is such a huge part of the London calendar and so it was time it featured in EastEnders.
“And as bosses plotted Jay would take part, they hit on the ingenious idea of asking Jamie to do it for real.
“Jamie was a bit surprised – it was quite an undertaking. And he’s committed to rigorous training for months.
“But he’s a great sport and loves his job, so didn’t need asking twice.”
Fans of the soap will see Jay in training ahead of the London Marathon on April 21.
And days after the event, the soap will screen footage of Jamie running around the streets of the capital – thanks to a BBC camera crew following his progress.
In the show, Jay will run to honour the legacy of brain tumour victim and lover Lola, played by I’m A Celebrity star Danielle Harold.
Jay will be joined in running the marathon by EastEnders’ Honey Mitchell, played by actress Emma Barton.
Jamie and Emma also plan to raise funds for charities in real life.
The stars ran the London Marathon for real in 2019 on behalf of Dementia Revolution in support of their late co-star Dame Barbara Windsor.
Jamie told us: “I’m really pleased to be taking part in the London Marathon. EastEnders is a London show, and as far as I’m aware, we’ve never shown it before on screen so I’m really excited to be a part of it, although I swore I would never run it again after the last time!”
And EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said: “The London marathon is a landmark occasion in the capital, and therefore we’re thrilled to celebrate our city and offer our viewers a never-before-seen glimpse of the momentous day through the characters of Jay and Honey as they take part in the event. Lola’s death had a profound effect on the residents of Walford and this storyline will continue to follow her loved ones as they attempt to come to terms with her death and honour her legacy.”
A world record breaking 578,374 people applied to take part in this year’s marathon. Participants are capped at 50,000.
Since the first London Marathon in 1981, more than £1.1billion has been raised for charity.
Jamie won the Strictly Come Dancing festive special over Christmas with his professional partner Nancy Xu, 32, after they impressed the judges with their Quickstep.
The 29-year-old was overcome to have won the Glitterball trophy, beating Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan, rugby player Danny Cipriani, historian Dan Snow, newsreader Sally Nugent and actress Tilly Amartey.
Head judge Shirley Ballas told Jamie: “If I could jump over this bar and quickstep around the room I would do it with you! I don’t have a paddle high enough for you.”
Craig Revel Horwood added: “Jamie you slayed me darling, you were Fab-U-Lous.”
Speaking after his win, Jamie said: “This is great, it’s been a wonderful experience, but we’re all winners here. This show is magic.”
Insiders said Jamie was now tipped to take part in the next series of the BBC dancing competition.
Previous festive contestants including Helen Skelton, Fern Britton, Simon Webbe and Matt Goss all went on to take part in the main series of Strictly.
