Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan carried the Olympic flame through London on Thursday, the penultimate day of its marathon journey around Britain.

The 69-year-old actor carried the flame through Southwark in south London.

Hundreds lined the streets and took pictures as the "Big B" jogged past.

"This is an incredible honour, humbling and so full of pride and emotion," he wrote on his blog.

"A moment to be hopefully remembered by the grandchildren."

Bachchan said he had been invited by London Games chairman Sebastian Coe.

He wore the torchbearers' white tracksuit and the number 063 -- his position among the 173 people who were to carry the torch Thursday.

The relay will culminate at the London Games opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium on Friday.