Calls for Danny Boyle to receive knighthood after success of London 2012 Opening Ceremony

There are calls for Lancashire-born film director Danny Boyle to receive a knighthood following the success of his Opening Ceremony to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

In a block-busting event there were moments of humour and emotion and some stunning surprises, not least the unique design of the stadium cauldron, made up of over 200 flames.

Chorley's Tour de France hero Bradley Wiggins rang the giant bell which marked the start of the show at the Olympic Stadium.

Wearing a yellow jersey Wiggins, who less than a week ago became the first British man to win the tour, was greeted with huge cheers.

It was the dramatic start of a breathtaking ceremony capturing the best of Britain and masterminded by London 2012 artistic director Boyle.

The Queen stole the show with her movie acting debut as she joined James Bond.

In a scene filmed in advance and screened for the first time, Wirral actor Daniel Craig arrived at Buckingham Palace in a dinner jacket, striding past the corgis towards the royal study.

"Good evening Mr Bond," said the Queen, before they leave together, apparently heading towards the Olympic Stadium in a helicopter.

Back in real time, to laughter and delight from the crowd, "the Queen" followed by "Bond", parachuted from a helicopter towards the arena.

Seconds later the real Queen and Prince Philip received a standing ovation as they arrived.

"The Queen made herself more accessible than ever before," Boyle said earlier.

In another surprise Rowan Atkinson in his Mr Bean character created comic havoc and loads of laughs as he joined Sir Simon Rattle conducting the theme from Chariots of Fire, the 1981 movie filmed partly on location in Wirral.

The five Olympic rings, attached to four balloons, were released and floated up into the sky, set to reach the stratosphere by the end of the ceremony.

Sir Paul McCartney completed proceedings, with a rendition of the Beatles' classic Hey Jude.