Fireworks lit up the night sky as the Stadium anxiously awaited the arrival of the Olympic FlameWe all wondered who would light the torch - and in the end the organisers sprang a surprise as seven teenage athletes lit copper petals - brought in by each of the 204 countries - which converged in spectacular fashion to form the cauldron in the middle of the Olympic Stadium.
Outside the fireworks were equally impressive and could be seen for miles.
Sir Steve Redgrave, five-time gold medallist was the champion chosen to conclude the torch's 8,000-mile journey round Britain, but there was no doubting the night's biggest star, local boy David Beckham, who transported the flame by speedboat under Tower Bridge to the stadium.
The Olympic Cauldron burns, lit by seven young athletes, chosen for their promise by British sporting legendsIt was the coolest moment of an amazing show and an estimated television audience of one billion tuned in worldwide to witness what had been billed as the Greatest Show on Earth
The Cauldron was formed by 204 petals, one for each nation competing
The petals converged into one, after they were lit by the seven teenagers, rising high above the stadium
The audience watched open-mouthed as the burning petals raised
The sporting prospects lit the petals, after they were passed the flame by Sir Steve Redgrave
Young athletes carried the Olympic flame around the stadium, a symbol of the Games' legacy
Former British rower and five times Olympic gold medalist, Steve Redgrave, passes the Torch to seven children, nominated to light the flame
The flame is passed to five times gold medal winner Sir Steve Redgrave by David Beckham, who carried the flame into Stratford on a speedboat
David Beckham was a surprise appearance, accompanying the Flame as it made its final journey
Fireworks light up the entire Olympic Park as the ceremony closes and the Games begins
London is illuminated by a stunning firework display as the Opening Ceremony reaches a crescendo
Fireworks created a spectacular display above east London
Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney raises his arms as he sings at the end of the opening ceremony, as he brings the show to a close with a performance of Hey JudeSir Paul McCartney brought the Olympic Opening Ceremony to a rousing an emotional finale tonight with a performance of Beatles legend Hey Jude.
Earlier, Sir Chris Hoy looked delighted as he led the British athletes into the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 30th Games this evening.
The triple cycling gold medallist had the honour of carrying the Union Flag in the parade of the 204 nations competing at the London Olympics.
The crowd gave the British team a rapturous reception as the long wait for the Olympics to start came to an end.
Proud moment: Sir Chris Hoy acts as flag bearer for Great Britain as the team enters the Olympic Stadium
British diver Tom Daley, left, parades with fellow team members during the Opening Ceremony
A group of flagbearers including Muhammad Ali bring the Olympic Flag into the stadium
The VIP group included Doreen Lawrence, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general and Ethiopian athletics veteran Haile GebrselassieAn extraordinary party of flagbearers brought the Olympic Flag into the stadium moments after the Queen declared the London Games open.
Muhammad Ali and Doreen Lawrence, mother of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, were among the nine who took part in the ceremony.
Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, Ethiopian athletics veteran Haile Gebrselassie and Shami Chakrabati, director of Liberty, were also flagbearers, along with Sally Becker, known as the Angel of Mostar who risked her life to deliver aid and evacuate children in the Balkan War, Marina Silva, who has fought against the destruction of the rainforest, Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee, who has worked to try and end Liberia's civil war, and musician Daniel Barenboim.
Flying the flag: Usain Bolt of Jamaica and Maria Sharapova of Russia carry their nations' flags into the Stadium
Argentina's flag bearer Luciana Aymar leads her team into the Olympic StadiumEarlier the Queen made a seemingly spectacular entrance to the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony this evening by dropping in from a helicopter by parachute accompanied by James Bond.
The surreal sequence followed a short film featuring James Bond actor Daniel Craig soaring across the streets of London before the pair apparently took the plunge.
Stuntmen dressed in a tuxedo and a peach-coloured dress really made the leap using Union Jack parachutes, and the Queen accompanied by Prince Philip then emerged and took their seat in the Royal Box.
Australian competitors pass on messages to loved ones back home during their nation's parade
Norwegian canoe-kayaker Mira Veras Larsen carries her nation's flag into the stadium
The Portuguese team arrive with their flag, led by judo star Telma Monteiro
Some details of the Bond stunt had emerged in advance of tonight's £27 million opening ceremony - the brainchild of Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle.
But the Queen's role - played to perfection - still left the audience awe-struck and delighted both in the stadium and around the world.
'The Queen made herself more accessible then ever before,' Boyle said earlier today.
It is the first time the Queen has 'acted' in a film and she allowed two of her own corgis to star - Monty, 13, who used to belong to the Queen Mother and
Holly, nine. 'she was delighted to be asked to be involved in something so exceptional,' a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.
The segment was filmed in April. 'It's been a hell of a job keeping it secret for so long,' said a source.
Performers in the Olympics opening ceremony tonight hailed the experience as 'magical'.
source: dailymail
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