Opening with a Big Bang! Disabled genius Stephen Hawking is the star turn at the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony - and after a day of rain how sensible to have brought so many umbrellas
- The astrophysicist, who has motor neurone disease, takes centre stage as he launches spectacular show
- Renowned scientist, 70, took viewers on an 'exquisite journey of discovery' in his unique and distinctive voice
- Themes include 'empowerment' and 'challenging perceptions of human possibility'
- He led a host of deaf and disabled artists, local children and performers newly trained in circus skills
- Sir Ian McKellen acted scenes from Shakespeare's The Tempest in the role of Prospero
- The show, called Enlightenment, will urge the crowd to take part in the world's largest 'apple crunch'
By MATT BLAKE and SIMON TOMLINSON
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The Paralympic Games exploded with a Big Bang as Professor Stephen Hawking launched the Opening Ceremony in front of more than a billion viewers on an 'exquisite journey of discovery'.
The renowned astro-physicist, who has motor neurone disease, opened the spectacular in his unique and distinctive voice.
Sir Ian McKellen then portrayed Prospero from the Tempest before Professor Hawking guided the audience through 'the wonders of science' in a variety of narratives inspired by his seminal tome A Brief History of Time.
World's greatest scientist: Stephen Hawking takes centre stage at the launch of the Olympics Opening Ceremony in the Olympic stadium in front of a billion viewers
Stunning: Hundreds of performers holding umbrellas form a ring around the middle of the Olympic Stadium as the ceremony gets into full swing
Crunch time: A wheelchair-bound artist rides atop a giant apple, which became a central theme of the show in reference to the moment Sir Isaac Newton formulated the theory of gravity after an apple fell on his head
Fitting props: Performers fly in with umbrellas at the start of the opening ceremony on what turned out to be a rather damp day in London
Prof Hawking and actor Sir Ian McKellen played prominent roles in the opening ceremony, which also featured a host of deaf and disabled artists, local children and performers newly-trained in circus skills.
They were being officially opened by the Queen, who said in a statement released in advance: 'It is with tremendous pride that the people of London and the United Kingdom welcome the world to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
'The Games are returning to the country where they first began, more than 60 years ago.
'We look forward to celebrating the uplifting spirit which distinguishes the Paralympic Games from other events, drawing on Britain's unique sporting heritage.'
Tremendous pride: The Queen praised the 'uplifting spirit' of the Paralympic Games tonight as she officially declared the Games open
Royal approval: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge look on as they take their positions for the start of the opening ceremony
Majestic audience: The Queen is greeted with a round of applause as she arrives in the stadium, flanked by Prince Edward, for the event
A right royal knees-up: Members of the Royal family are joined by Prime Minister David Cameron (centre), London Mayor Boris Johnson (second right) and London 2012 chief Lord Coe (fourth left)
Enjoying the atmosphere: This picture of David Cameron and wife Samantha was posted on Number 10's Twitter feed during the ceremony
Prof Hawking said: 'The Paralympic Games is about transforming our perception of the world. We are all different. There is no such thing as a standard or run-of-the-mill human being but we share the same human spirit.
'What is important is that we have the ability to create. This creativity can take many forms, from physical achievement to theoretical physics.
'However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.'
Spectators inside the stadium - plus the millions around the world - were asked to take a bite of an apple at the same time in the world’s biggest ever ‘apple-crunch’.
Flames to mark the Games: As it did to such effect during the Olympics Opening Ceremony, the cauldron's petals rise up to form the Paralympic flame
Torch of class: Paralympian Margaret Maughan lights The Paralympic Cauldron, which consists of 166 petals representing each of the competing nations
'Icon of an inclusive city': A 43ft-tall remake of Marc Quinn's famous marble portrait of disabled artist Alison Lapper while she was heavily pregnant was also unveiled. The sculpture graced Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth in London in 2005
Poignant: Blind soprano Denise Leigh sings the tribute song 'Spirit in Motion' as several Paralympians took flight in an elegant aerial display
Heritage: Sir Ian McKellen returns as Prospero from The Tempest, the narrative of which was weaved through the ceremony
World in union: A giant umbrella featuring a map of the globe opens at as performers take to the stage for a literary-themed segment of the show
Legacy in action: Sir Philip Craven, the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) Bolton-born chairman, said the night was a 'celebration of the development of the human spirit'
Lighting up the world: Fireworks explode into the night sky above the Olympic Stadium at the mid-point of the ceremony
Hope for so many: The Paralympics was born at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire thanks to the work of neurosurgeon Sir Ludwig Guttmann, who started the first competitions between disabled patients
It was a reference to the story that Sir Isaac came up with the theory of gravity when an apple fell on his head as he sat beneath a tree in 1666.
The show moved chronologically from The Age of Enlightenment through to the modern era, even creating a 'Large Hadron Collider' in the middle of the stadium.
Earlier this year, scientists at the collider, housed in a tunnel below the French-Swiss border, claimed to have found the 'God particle' that gives mass to the universe.
Half-way through the ceremony, the Queen praised the 'uplifting spirit' of the Paralympics tonight as she launched the sporting spectacle featuring disabled athletes from across the world.
Hundreds of men and women who have trained for years to compete at London 2012 will soon be in action - a first for some at the global event.
What we've all been waiting for: Paralympic GB, led by wheelchair tennis player Peter Norfolk, whip the crowds into a frenzy as they are the last team to join the parade
Can they do it? Great Britain have high hopes for a record medal haul this year just as Team GB accomplished two weeks earlier
The eyes of the world watch on: Spectators catch the action on a giant screen in London's Trafalgar Square
Up for it: Wheelchair Rugby player Garrett Hichling carries the flag for Canada as the teams parade into the stadium
Taking it all in: Members of the Chinese team, who will hoping for another strong showing in this year's Games, savour the moment as they enter the stadium
Pride of a nation: Swimmer Guillermo Marro leads Argentina into the stadium. Paralympic athletes will compete in 20 sports, including archery, cycling, rowing, equestrian and sitting volleyball
Festival atmosphere: The athletes make their way into the stadium and take their positions amid a sea of colour
The Queen completed her own milestone by opening a Paralympics for the first time - uttering the words: 'I declare open the London 2012 Paralympic Games'.
A vibrant and imaginative opening ceremony staged in Stratford's Olympic Stadium heralded the beginning of the sporting event and featured Professor Stephen Hawking, who has motor neurone disease, a host of famous Paralympians and hundreds of volunteers.
The Queen extended greetings to the visiting athletes and looked forward to the 11-day spectacle that begins tomorrow.
Vibrant colours: A pile of giant books, umbrellas hanging from the sky, a 'moon' stage, a web of cables and row upon row of blue plastic chairs featured in the show
Great expectations: The rising interest in the Games has been reflected in ticket sales, a record 2.4 million of the available 2.5 million have been sold so far
Biggest ever: The Games will host the highest number of athletes since their official birth in 1960 at the Rome Games, with 4,280 athletes representing over 160 nations compared to 400 participants from 23 countries in the Italian capital
Reaching for the stars: Disabled actress Nicola Miles-Wildin swapped village hall audiences for the world last night when the 34-year-old made a spectacular appearance at the opening ceremony, performing to millions as Miranda from The Tempest
A very British institution: Umbrellas made a regular appearance in the show and, fittingly, it had rained for most of the day in London
In a statement released earlier in the evening she said: 'It is with tremendous pride that the people of London and the United Kingdom welcome the world to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
'The Games are returning to the country where they first began, more than 60 years ago.
'We look forward to celebrating the uplifting spirit which distinguishes the Paralympic Games from other events, drawing on Britain's unique sporting heritage.'
Earlier, the Paralympic Flame was greeted by large crowds as it made its way past some of the most famous landmarks in the capital.
Fun and games: Performers donned an array of colourful outfits the help light up the stadium
Sign of things to come: Sir Ian McKellen, playing Prospero from Shakespeare's The Tempest, announces that 'the greatest adventure is what lies ahead'
Global event: A sphere descends into the stadium past the floodlights as the celebrations get into full flow
Five torchbearers arrived at the zebra crossing outside Abbey Road recording studios to recreate the pose made famous by The Beatles.
The torch also visited London Zoo, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall on its journey to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
Demand for tickets to the Games is still high and 10,000 will be put on sale each day during the event.
London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said: 'We've tried to get as many people in as we reasonably can. This is a wonderful illustration of how the British public have said we love the Paralympics and want to be part of it.'
Prime Minister David Cameron said of the Games: 'They will create new role models, they will change attitudes to disability and they will have a positive impact on society.'
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: 'For many Brits, this will be the first time they have seen the Paralympic Games at all. It will be a very big moment to really change perceptions and that will be something to be proud of.'
Paralympic athletes will compete for 503 gold medals across 20 sports during the London Games, with competitions starting tomorrow.
Moneywise: The budget for the ceremony was a fraction of the £27million Danny Boyle had for the Olympics opening ceremony, but it was not revealed how much
Celebrating brilliance: A host of deaf and disabled artists, local children and performers, all newly trained in circus skills, featured in the show
Prof Hawking and actor Sir Ian McKellen played prominent roles in the opening ceremony, which also featured a host of deaf and disabled artists, local children and performers newly-trained in circus skills.
They were being officially opened by the Queen, who said in a statement released in advance: 'It is with tremendous pride that the people of London and the United Kingdom welcome the world to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
'The Games are returning to the country where they first began, more than 60 years ago.
'We look forward to celebrating the uplifting spirit which distinguishes the Paralympic Games from other events, drawing on Britain's unique sporting heritage.'
No rain on this parade: A giant umbrella hovers over a giant dome as hundreds of performers are lit up below
Lighting up the Games: Professor Hawking leads the spectators on a voyage through the universe as he proves the star turn at the opening ceremony
Voyage of discovery: The exploits of man's adventures to the moon featured in the opening ceremony as the audience were guided through the wonders of the cosmos by Stephen Hawking
Blaze of glory: An aircraft trails fireworks to herald the start the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics
Prof Hawking said: 'The Paralympic Games is about transforming our perception of the world.
'We are all different. There is no such thing as a standard or run-of-the-mill human being but we share the same human spirit. What is important is that we have the ability to create.
'This creativity can take many forms, from physical achievement to theoretical physics. However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.'
The show, called Enlightenment, which features will later urge the 62,000-strong crowd to take part in the world's largest 'apple crunch' as each spectator is given an apple to bite at the same time.
It moved chronologically from The Age of Enlightenment through to the modern era, even creating a 'Large Hadron Collider' in the middle of the stadium.
Earlier this year, scientists at the collider, housed in a tunnel below the French-Swiss border, claimed to have found the 'God particle' that gives mass to the universe.
Earlier, the Paralympic Flame was greeted by large crowds as it made its way past some of the most famous landmarks in the capital.
Five torchbearers arrived at the zebra crossing outside Abbey Road recording studios to recreate the pose made famous by The Beatles.
Sneak preview: A glimpse inside the Olympic Stadium as preparations are made for the opening ceremony in front of more than a billion viewers across the globe
Buzz of anticipation: Spectators fill the Olympic Stadium in readiness for the spectacular opening ceremony to the London Paralympic Games
The torch also visited London Zoo, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall on its journey to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
Demand for tickets to the Games is still high and 10,000 will be put on sale each day during the event.
London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said: 'We've tried to get as many people in as we reasonably can. This is a wonderful illustration of how the British public have said we love the Paralympics and want to be part of it.'
Prime Minister David Cameron said of the Games: 'They will create new role models, they will change attitudes to disability and they will have a positive impact on society.'
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: 'For many Brits, this will be the first time they have seen the Paralympic Games at all. It will be a very big moment to really change perceptions and that will be something to be proud of.'
Ready to party: Spectators make their way into the Olympic stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the London Paralympic Games 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford
Spectacular: The opening ceremony, signalling the start of 11 days of competition by nearly 4,300 athletes from 166 countries, will be opened with a flypast by Aerobility, a charity that trains disabled people to become pilots
Paralympic athletes will compete for 503 gold medals across 20 sports during the London Games, with competitions starting tomorrow.
Co-artistic director Bradley Hemmings said: 'Our talks with Stephen Hawking began towards the end of last year.
'We worked very closely with Professor Hawking to develop a series of messages which are very much integrated into the storytelling of the ceremony. We have spent time with him in Cambridge and have been so incredibly gratified with him giving his time.
'Everybody knows about Professor Hawking and his extraordinary theoretical work and writings about science which have made very complex ideas accessible to all of us, but what came through in our meetings with him was the humanity and the humour of him. He is a fun guy.'
Co-artistic director Jenny Sealey added: 'Tonight you will be taken on the most exquisite journey of discovery inspired by the wonder of science. It is about the wonder of science and it is Stephen Hawking who guides us.
'Both Hawking and McKellen in their narrative talk about what we all need to remember; don’t just look down at your feet, look at the stars, be curious.'
Expectation: Spectators, including physiotherapists from the National Spinal Injuries Centre prepare to enter the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony, signalling the start of 11 days of competition by nearly 4,300 athletes from 166 countries, was opened with a flypast by Aerobility, a charity that trains disabled people to become pilots.
The cast also includes past Paralympians and injured soldiers. More than 3,000 adult volunteers are taking part in the ceremony, along with more than 100 children and a professional cast of 100.
With huge demand for tickets, the Paralympics are, like the Olympics, expected to be one of the most successful Games ever.
More than 2.4 million tickets have already been sold - half a million of those to overseas visitors. Ten thousand tickets will be available each day during the event and the Games are on course to be the first Paralympics to sell out.
London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said: 'We've tried to get as many people in as we reasonably can.
'This is a wonderful illustration of how the British public have said we love the Paralympics and want to be part of it.'
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: 'For many Brits, this will be the first time they have seen the Paralympic Games at all.
'It will be a very big moment to really change perceptions and that will be something to be proud of.'
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