London 2012 Olympics: Day 16

The latest news and views from the London 2012 Olympics

Closing Ceremony: 303 white boxes being brought into the stadium representing the 303 events - the music of Kate Bush's Keep Running Up That Hill sounds out.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 8:56:04 PM
All hail the returning heroes - the athletes enter the stadium. Getty Images.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 8:57:48 PM
All the good music & we had to listen to Kate Bush..

by JessieEdgeley via twitter 8/12/2012 8:59:28 PM
Closing Ceremony: And now the victory ceremony for the men's marathon - a traditional closing ceremony event.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:01:08 PM
Three chaps covered in face paint, their work done, trying to get a beer being told "we're not allowed to serve cast or crew." Harsh?
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) August 12, 2012

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:02:50 PM
Closing Ceremony: Here Comes The Sun welcomes Olympic officials - and soon recognition of the work of the volunteers.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:08:09 PM
Closing Ceremony: Fantastic applause for volunteers - the big hit of the London Olympics.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:08:42 PM
Closing Ceremony: The volunteers have been brilliant - search YouTube if you want some proof for yourself!

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:09:38 PM
Feeling emotional after the thanks to volunteers. Athletes, it was a absolute pleasure. #teamgb #gamesmakers

by spannerbristow via twitter 8/12/2012 9:09:56 PM
Closing Ceremony: Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen start to perform but it breaks into John Lennon's Imagine.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:10:52 PM
Closing Ceremony: Imagine being sung by children's choir.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:11:12 PM
Imagine all the people #proudmoment

by Ryan_Croydon via twitter 8/12/2012 9:11:26 PM
Closing Ceremony: Fortunately John Lennon (well a video of him) takes over the singing :-) Huge reception for him. Not a dry eye in the stadium.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:12:05 PM
“@Flashproudy: Struggling to hold back the tears #imagine” man up

by tb007 via twitter 8/12/2012 9:12:14 PM
Imagine. Love this song. Got goosebumps.

by xemk8x via twitter 8/12/2012 9:12:29 PM
John lennon - imagine makes me cry everytime!

by LaurenAshleex via twitter 8/12/2012 9:12:38 PM
I love Imagine! John Lennon's face omg! Unreaal

by nimcc via twitter 8/12/2012 9:12:42 PM
Stadium erupting in thanks for 70,000 volunteers. One of them my mum - well done. Just waiting for the thanks to the journalists now.
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) August 12, 2012

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:13:15 PM
Closing Ceremony: Imagine is likely to be the biggest hit of this closing ceremony.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:13:54 PM
Closing Ceremony: George Michael steps on stage.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:14:36 PM
Closing Ceremony: George Michael singing Freedom.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:14:51 PM
Have to say, one of my favourite moments of any Olympics is the sight of all the athletes in the closing ceremony really enjoying themselves

by JamesTLowe via twitter 8/12/2012 9:16:35 PM
I now have the TV on mute!! #closing ceremony #fb

by PaulaWilliams26 via twitter 8/12/2012 9:18:48 PM
Maybe chas and Dave will perform at the closing ceremony

by GentlemenJames via twitter 8/12/2012 9:19:09 PM
Loving, loving George. And remember, all proceeds from this part of the gig go towards the reconstruction of THAT branch of Snappy Snaps.
— Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) August 12, 2012

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:20:22 PM
Closing Ceremony: The Kaiser Chiefs perform Pinball Wizard

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:24:55 PM
Closing Ceremony: The music of David Bowie....

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:26:41 PM
Closing Ceremony: ... a backdrop for a British fashion show.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:27:49 PM
Q for @georgemichael & his management. Why were two songs played tonight at #closingceremony, one a new one which no-one knew?
— Jerome Taylor (@JeromeTaylor) August 12, 2012

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:30:09 PM
Closing Ceremony: Now it's Annie Lennox performing Little Bird.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:31:54 PM
Love Annie Lennox

by yanikaaaaaa via twitter 8/12/2012 9:32:28 PM
Annie Lennox is the worst part so far

by thomtoulson via twitter 8/12/2012 9:32:43 PM
The magic and spectacle of the closing ceremony (Getty Images).

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:34:20 PM
Closing Ceremony: Ed Sheeran, Nick Mason, Richard Jones and Mike Rutherford take to the stage and perform Wish You Were Here.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:37:56 PM
Ed Sheeran u do realise the world is watching u - could of worn something better then what you run down the road in?! #closingceremony

by MissReecha via twitter 8/12/2012 9:38:04 PM
Ed Sheeran's voice is perfect.

by EllieMcBeth1 via twitter 8/12/2012 9:38:09 PM
pink Floyd legend. shame ed spoils it

by karentaylor107 via twitter 8/12/2012 9:39:51 PM
Ed Sherran! I have to admit I love this song, my dad use to sing this a lot when I was young he loves Pink Floyd.

by Lowri_M_K via twitter 8/12/2012 9:39:58 PM
Closing Ceremony: From the sublime to the ridiculous... Russell Brand on now.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:40:25 PM
Closing Ceremony: Thankfully Fatboy Slim takes over.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:42:17 PM
What the hell was that? Saved by the Slim
— Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) August 12, 2012

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:43:20 PM
OH OK FATBOY SLIM THINGS GOT BETTER

by doumekii via twitter 8/12/2012 9:43:47 PM
If you'd rather watch the closing ceremony of the Olympics I.e McCartney and the Spice Girls over a golf major then that's a problem!

by Eoghanlyons via twitter 8/12/2012 9:44:36 PM
Closing Ceremony: Jessie J arrives at the stadium wearing - well, not very much by the look of it.

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:45:58 PM
"It ain't about the money, money, money, we just want to make the world dance." Wish Hugh Robertson had said that at the budget briefings.
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) August 12, 2012

by Alan Cleaver 8/12/2012 9:46:54 PM