Scale model of London took centre-stage wrapped entirely in newspaper
Athletes appeared through the crowd and filled Damien Hirst interpretation of the Union Flag
Performers included Emeli Sande, Madness, Pet Shop Boys, Ray Davies, George Michael, Jessie J and Annie Lennox
Kaiser Chiefs and Ed Sheeran led tributes to British greats The Who, David Bowie and Pink Floyd
Stadium turned into huge catwalk with appearances from supermodels Naomi Campbell & Kate Moss
Black London cabs performed 'taxi ballet' before the Spice Girls emerged and performed medley of hits
Olympic Flag was handed over to 2016 hosts Rio de Janeiro to rousing applause
The audience at the Olympics closing ceremony were treated to a taste of Britain's comedy heritage last night when Monty Python star Eric Idle appeared onstage.The actor led the 80,000-strong crowd through a singalong rendition of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, while a bizarre troupe of dancers performed around him.They included jigging Morris Dancers, a choir of rugby players and skating nuns and when the song finished, a human cannonball was launched across the stadium.He was followed by a performance by pop icons Queen, including vocals from Jessie J and from beyond the grave, by the band's late singer Freddie Mercury.
The best of Britain's past and present music scene partied with volunteers, athletes and the world as London 2012 came to a breathtaking close.The Spice Girls, Madness, Queen, Take That and Annie Lennox took to the stage in a symphony of British music.
Traditionally, the closing ceremony is a chance to celebrate what the athletes have achieved, with Lord Coe describing the night as a time to 'party, party, party.'Entering the Olympic Stadium, the audience was treated to a vision of working London wrapped in newspaper as they were taken to the heart of the capital's busy rush hour.As well as typically rainy weather forecasts and stocks and shares, the reams of print celebrated British literary greats from the earliest surviving Anglo-Saxon poetry to current poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, with extracts from Shakespeare and Milton along the way.A series of ramps - covering the track where Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis made history - formed a black and white Union Jack, the first of many versions of the flag to feature in the extravaganza.Unwrapped on a newspaper rubbish truck, singer Emeli Sande, who performed in the opening ceremony, delighted the crowds with hit song Read All About It.Percussion group Stomp emerged to swing from the scaffolding, playing models of the capital's landmarks including Big Ben and the London Eye as if they were instruments.
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