Along the way Armstrong meets David Walsh, played by Chris O’Dowd, a sports journalist at The Sunday Times who crusades to reveal the truth behind alleged doping claims, despite going up against one of the world's most renouned athletes.
The real David Walsh, whose 2012 book *Seven Deadly Sins: My Pursuit of Lance Armstrong *provides the basis of the film, told **Empire **that Frears and the producers were keen to have him involved in the script. “My opinion was always sought and I was allowed to give it. That made the journey really fun for me.”
Despite taking over 15 years for Walsh to expose the use of illegal drugs used by Armstrong, he thinks that the story is relevant even today and the film does its job to take the audience inside the heart of what really went on.
Walsh met with O’Dowd, who read his book as part of research, but didn’t offer him any further suggestions. “He didn’t need any advice from me,” said Walsh. “I think he had a very good understanding of where I was coming from.” But does he think O’Dowd’s portrayal is truthful? “It’s very accurate in terms of journalism but physically he’s much taller, he’s better looking and he’s much more charismatic.” We’ll take that as a yes!
Also making appearances on the red carpet were actors Ben Foster, Chris O’Dowd and Denis Menochet, alongside director Stephen Frears, producers and screenwriter John Hodge.
The Program hits UK cinemas on October 14.
*Reporting by Anjali Mandalia, with thanks to Go Think Big and O2. For amazing work opportunities go to Go Think Big.co.uk. *