London bids farewell to the Olympic Games

Olympic Games Closing Ceremony Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

The London 2012 Olympic Games ended with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Olympic Stadium.

As the world bade farewell to London, the host city gave the concert of a lifetime as stars such as Annie Lennox, Spice Girls, Madness, Queen, Pet Shop Boys, Kaiser Chiefs, George Michael, Tinie Tempah and Jessie J and Take That took to the stage.

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.

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.

The Who perform during the closing ceremony. Credit: PA Wire

The party marked the end of British sport's most successful Olympic Games in more than a century which saw a final medal tally of 64 - an incredible 29 golds, 16 silvers and 19 bronze.

Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge at the Olympic Closing Ceremony Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

After the Olympic Flag was lowered by members of the armed forces, the Olympic Anthem rang out sung by the London Welsh Male Voice Choir and the London Welsh Rugby Club Choir.

The capital's mayor Boris Johnson had the honour of passing the flag to Mr Rogge, who in turn presented it to Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, each waving it the traditional four times.

Celebrating the first time a South American country hosts the Games, a mix of cultures, music and dance marked the handover.

The Olympic Flame is extinguished to mark the end of the London 2012 Games. Credit: PA Wire

As the dying flame flickered in the Olympic cauldron, a new flame emerged in the form of a phoenix suspended above the audience.

After much speculation over whether they would perform or not after Gary Barlow's tragic loss of his stillborn daughter, Take That - minus Robbie Williams whose wife is due to give birth - took to the stage with hit single Rule The World.

As they left the stage, the flaming figure of prima ballerina Darcey Bussell descended on the stadium from its roof, joining more than 200 ballerinas dancing to David Arnold's Spirit of the Flame.

George Michael performs during the closing ceremony. Credit: PA Wire

As the stadium became a sea of red, white and blue for the grand finale, The Who burst into Baba O'Riley and See Me, Feel Me as a montage of faces, including volunteers, fans, security guards, youngsters and troops flashed across the screens.