2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony Gathers Britain's Biggest Stars

2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony (Photo: SM)

The 2012 London Olympics Closing Ceremony gathered Britain’s biggest international stars and emerging talent to celebrate the achievements of the world’s greatest athletes during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

A galaxy of world-famous musicians and fashion icons performed at the spectacular ceremony including The Who, The Spice Girls, Take That, Tinie Tempah, George Michael, Fatboy Slim, Madness, Jessie J, Annie Lennox, Kaiser Chiefs, Taio Cruz, Beady Eye with lead vocalist Liam Gallagher, Ray Davies, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, Pet Shop Boys, One Direction, Muse, Elbow, Emeli Sandé, Eric Idle, Julian Lloyd Webber, Ed Sheeran, Richard Jones, Mike Rutherford and Nick Mason.

Singers Jessie J, Taio Cruz and Tinie Tempah emerged from three limousines to sing their numbers. The Spice Girls entered the Stadium in five black cabs for renditions of ‘Spice Up Your Life’ and 'Wannabe’, and Russell Brand performed ‘Pure Imagination’ and ‘I Am the Walrus’ atop a psychedelic bus.

Eric Idle led a singalong of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," from the film Monty Python’s "Life of Brian," the Kaiser Chiefs covered The Who’s "Pinball Wizard" and The Who led a triumphant rendition of "My Generation" to close the show.

A tribute to British fashion was soundtracked to songs by David Bowie and featured appearances from supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Lily Donaldson, Stella Tennant, Karen Elson, Lily Cole, Georgia May Jagger, Jourdan Dunn and David Gandy. 

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, declared the Games of the 30th Olympiad closed just before midnight: 'We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the much-needed heroes of these Games.

The grand finale of the Games saw the Olympic Flame extinguished in a spectacular sequence.
Each participating team will receive one of the Olympic Cauldron's petals to take home with them.

The closing ceremony, which was directed by Kim Gavin, also looked forward to the next summer Olympic Games in 2016, as the Olympic Flag was handed over to the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes.

A volunteer cast of 3,500 rehearsed on average for 60 hours each in a total of 135 rehearsals during evenings and weekends at two east London rehearsal sites. Some 350 child volunteers were drawn from 10 schools in the six east London Host Boroughs.  - Via London2012.com