Celebs tweet their way through the London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony

Behind the scenes of the greatest show on earth: Celebs tweet their way through the London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony

By KIRSTY MCCORMACK

PUBLISHED: 19:01, 13 August 2012 | UPDATED: 19:52, 13 August 2012

From Boris Johnson's 'dad dancing' to the Spice Girls' highly anticipated final performance, the London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony was certainly a memorable event.

Packed full of celebrities who took to the stage to perform and celebrate the end of an unforgettable two weeks, over one billion people around the world tuned in.

But as if it wasn't enough for the rich and famous to be seen on TV, many of the celebrities decided to keep their fans updated with their antics via Twitter.

Tweeting their way through the night! The Spice Girls treated their fans to several photos of them backstage

Sharing the love: Victoria shared this photo of the five women together dispelling rumours that they no longer get on

The Spice Girls certainly led the way when it came to tweeting photos, and even revealed that they were partying with Liam Gallagher.

Following their performance atop black diamante taxis where they sang their first ever single Wannabe and Spice Up Your Life, the fivesome posed for photos backstage where they pulled some crazy faces and were clearly on a high following their appearance.

They later posed backstage with comedian Russell Brand - who had performed his own comical version of The Beatles' hit I Am The Walrus - and also partied with former Oasis singer Liam Gallager, who they famously had a spat with back in 1997.

Loving it! Comedian Russell Brand got the opportunity to pose with the girl group

Kissed and made up: Mel B posted this picture of them with Liam Gallagher who they famously had a spat with at the 1997 BRIT Awards

Singer Jessie J was also keen to share her night with her many fans and tweeted a photo of herself doing her best Usain Bolt impression.

The dark-haired star could be seen posing in the nude and sparkly leotard which she had worn to perform in.

Jessie not only sang her own hot single, Price Tag, but she also sang with Tinie Tempah as well as Brian May of Queen.

New BFF? The Spice Girls also found time to pose with Tinie Tempah

'Oh what a night': Singer Jessie J tweeted a photo of herself doing her best Usain Bolt impression

Jessie also posted a photo of herself wearing a long black coat while pouting and holding her finger to her mouth with the caption 'Sssshhhh.'

It was rather similar to another snap shared by Victoria Beckham, which saw the mother-of-four posing up in the strapless black dress she wore for the group's performance.

Posers: Victoria shared a photo of herself in her black dress while Jessie J tweeted a pic of herself pouting in a black coat (R)

Cuddles on the sofa: Mel B, Emma and Geri caught up with George Michael and supermodel Kate Moss

Victoria appeared to have left the after party celebrations a little early as any photos tweeted later on in the night saw her noticeably absent.

Mel B, Geri, and Emma found time to huddle on a sofa with George Michael and supermodel Kate Moss, and reportedly partied until 8am today.

Tinie Tempah also did the rounds and posed with several famous faces, including Jessie J and WEd Sheeran.

He also found the time to catch up with boy band One Direction earlier on in the day as they rehearsed their routines.

Good friends: Tinie Tempah and Jessie J pose for a photo while in the empty stadium

New boy band? Tinie Tempah and Ed Sheeran pose with Zayn Malik and Niall Horan of One Direction

Getting excited: Tinie Tempah and Ed Sheeran sported huge grins in another photo posted by the British star

Elsewhere in the Olympic stadium, the supermodels of the show were gearing themselves up to walk the longest catwalk yet.

Lily Cole shared several photos with her followers which showed her hanging out with the likes of Naomi Campbell and Stella Tennant before they changed into their glamorous attire.

What's so funny: Lily Cole posted this photo of her laughing alongside some of the other famous models

Practicing their strut! Karen Elson tweeted this image of her and the other supermodels wandering around the empty stadium

Glamorous in gold: The group posed up together following their appearance in the ceremony

The women were seen getting ready backstage, where no doubt a lot of hard work went into doing their hair and make-up and ensuring that their outfits were just right.

It seems that the fashion elite also continued the celebrations long after the ceremony was over but didn't get any photos with the Spice Girls - except for Kate Moss.

Redhead Karen Elson shared a photo of her with David Gandy and the caption: 'After party hotel style. The lovely David Gandy.'

Getting ready: Lily Cole shared this photo of herself touching her make-up up backstage

Karen Elson tweeted a photo of her with David Gandy at an after party inside a hotel room

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2187842/Celebrities-tweet-way-London-2012-Olympic-Closing-Ceremony.html#ixzz23TMnDoOe

London says farewell to 2012 Olympics at closing ceremony

Out with a bang! London gathers for mammoth Games send off as thousands pack out Olympic Park for closing ceremony 

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 20:56, 12 August 2012 | UPDATED: 00:06, 13 August 2012

Seb Coe hailed the London 2012 Olympics a big success on Sunday and said thank you during the nation's final farewell to the Games.

Speaking with great pride during the closing ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, he said: 'On the first day of these Games I said we were determined to do it right. I said that these Games would see the best of us.

'On this last day I can conclude with these words: "When our time came - Britain we did it right. Thank you!"

Epic: An amazing firework display was set off the top of the Olympic Park

Enjoying it? The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were in Stratford for the ceremony

The London 2012 chairman, himself a two-time Olympic 1500m champion, recognised the athletes for their world-beating performances, but spoke movingly of how Britain had backed the Games.

Lord Coe said: 'Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city.

'We lit the flame and lit up the world.'

The success can be traced back to the people who built the stadiums and the Olympic Park from where was speaking that was once a disused and deprived district through to the organisers and the sports stars who put on a great show.

He told the packed crowd: "And thank you to the people of this country. The British people got behind London's bid and they got behind London's Games. Our opening ceremony proclaimed that these would be a Games for everyone. At our closing ceremony, we can say that these were a Games by everyone.

'London 2012 has played host to some incredible sport. To awe inspiring feats, that are the result of incredible dedication and skill by the world's great sports men and women.

'To all the Olympians who came to London to compete - thank you. Those of us who came to watch witnessed moments of heroism and heartbreak that will live long in the memory.

'You have our admiration and our congratulations.'

Sight for sore eyes: The Olympic Park was lit up for the closing ceremony

Sea of stars: The audience consisted of the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Lord Sebastian Coe

I'll tell you what I want... The Spice Girls arrived in black cabs before they sang together

Jessie J was joined by Tinie Tempah on stage as they performed with Fatboy Slim

Thousands of volunteers now have the right to carry the phrase `I made London 2012' with them as a badge of honour, according to Lord Coe.
London 2012 has had the backing of the International Olympic Committee 'every step of the way,' he noted.

It has all been part of 'two glorious weeks' which he believes can carry the Olympic spirit on and inspire a generation.

After London welcomed all 204 of the competing nations to the capital for what was undoubtedly one of the greatest Olympic Games in history, athletes, fans and celebrities assembled at the closing ceremony.

If the spectacular official opening ceremony of the Games - organised by Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle - was anything to go by, the close to the Games promises to be a show and a half.

London hosted an Olympics which saw Team GB win an unbelievable 29 gold medals, dwarfing the 19 won four years prior in Beijing, and those lucky enough to have tickets have filled the Olympic Park in Stratford to bid their farewell.

To celebrate the hosting of a hugely successful Olympiad, fans were treated to a feast for the eyes and ears, amongst the spectacles are internationally renowned girl band the Spice Girls.

A mock scene of the host city was set up in the middle of the stage - far removed from the countryside scene in Boyle's opener - and Big Ben chimed a countdown before the show got started.

Emeli Sande opened proceedings before a medley of musical performances - from the likes of Madness, the Pet Shop Boys, One Direction and Ray Davies - kicked the party off for the 80,000 strong audience.

Actor Timothy Spall appeared as Winston Churchill, and delivered an address to the crowd. 

After the thunderous opener, the athletes came out in their droves, with Team GB flag-bearer Ben Ainslie leading out the vastly successful British athletes as Manchester band Elbow performed their anthemic songs Open Arms and One Day Like This. 

Mobbed: Mo Farah and the Team GB athletes were applauded as they made their way round the arena

Wonderwall: Liam Gallagher hit the stage to play with band Beady Eye

After the athletes paraded, waving their flags, the men's marathon medal ceremony was undertaken in front of the audience - including Prince Harry, Lord Sebastian Coe and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Then there was more music for the crowd to get their teeth into. John Lennon's Imagine was played before George Michael took to the stage. After Michael was finished, the Kaiser Chiefs performed as lead singer Ricky Wilson was carried to the stage in a convoy of scooters.

After an homage to musician David Bowie and to the successes of British fashion across the years, Russell Brand performed a rendition of The Beatles's hit I Am The Walrus before Fatboy Slim hit the stage with Jessie J and Tinie Tempah.

The centrepiece of the evening came when a fleet of black cabs drove into the centre of the arena and the Spice Girls emerged. All five original members - Mel B, Mel C, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham - wowed the crowd.

As soon as the iconic girl band had finished Liam Gallagher belted out a version of Oasis classic Wonderwall with new band Beady Eye.

Rock legend Brian May played one of his iconic guitar solos before turning the tempo up when he performed Queen's We Will Rock You with Jessie J.

Meanwhile, UK Sport's leader hailed Britain's record-breaking Olympic medal haul as 'incredible' after the team finished in third place in the table.

Great Britain finished ahead of Russia for the first time ever with a total of 65 medals, including 29 golds, the best result since 1908.

There was a tribute to British fashion across the years

Emeli Sande opened the show before the athletes came out

A British military marching band performed at the beginning of the ceremony

Getting it going: One Direction hit the stage to start the party

UK Sport chair Sue Campbell said: 'For a nation the size of Great Britain to finish in third place at the Olympic games is incredible and without doubt one of the greatest sporting achievements in this country's history.

'We now have an elite sport system that is the envy of the world and I firmly believe it will continue to deliver at the highest level for many years to come thanks to the support of National Lottery and Government funding, which I am delighted to say is now secured for the Rio cycle.'

IOC president Jacques Rogge said: 'London was a dream for a sports lover, and I had stressed since the awarding of the Games in Singapore that we need home gold medals and that is so important for the mood of the general public.

'We had to wait two days but then it accelerated it has been fantastic.

'We are saying exactly the same for our Brazilian friends for Rio.'

Fans got in the mood ahead of the ceremony

Burning bright: The Olympic flame was still lit as the Spice Girls rehearsed their routine

Transformed: The stadium looked completely different to when athletes competed on it throughout the Games

Transformed: The stadium looked completely different to when athletes competed on it throughout the Games

The Olympic rings were on display above the well lit arena

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2187415/London-2012-Olympics-Fans-gather-closing-ceremony.html#ixzz23NX6MGzj