London 2012: the closing ceremony - in pictures

After a wonderful fortnight of sporting endeavour, the scene is set for the closing ceremony. It looks like the colours of the union flag will be underpinning the show
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The London 2012 flame is still burning bright
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The show begins with a countdown to 9 o'clock. Fittingly, there's a replica of Big Ben's tower at the heart of the stage alongside the London Eye and the Gherkin
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Around them are hundreds of dancers and vehicles clad in newspaper outfits
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

... not to mention the horse guards
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A very patriotic start
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Soon the place is awash with colour
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Suggs is one of the first musicians on stage, performing Our House with the rest of Madness
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

They're performing on the back of a lorry Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

Britain's most famous supermodels strut down the pathway - Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss included
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

Not sure what's going on with the headgear here. Very peculiar. And very bright
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

An athlete from each nation makes their way into the stadium carrying their national flags
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Ben Ainslie's found someone to carry his for him
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

And there's a huge burst of confetti to greet them
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Those Mexicans have really got the human tower nailed
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

With the athletes surrounding them, the dancers perform with white cubes Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

They appear to be dismantling a block of gigantic sugar cubes
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

It's all gone rather violet
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

George Michael gets a huge cheer from the crowd after his performance Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

These spectators look like they're enjoying it
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

Now there's a big octopus shaped object on stage
Photograph: Dan Chung/The Guardian

Followed by the Spice Girls
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

They're being driven round on top of taxis while singing some of their old hits
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Wonder if Bradley Wiggins is among these moped riders?
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

Brian May joins the action alongside a video of the late Freddie Mercury
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

Eric Idle performs on stage with a comical routine in which he conspicuously escapes from a cannon, much to the amusement of the crowd
Photograph: Dan Chung/The Guardian

As midnight approaches, there are some short speeches by the Olympic organisers including Seb Coe
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

The Games are officially handed over to Rio, Brazil - a move heralded with a green and yellow firework spectacular
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

Then the petals of the Olympic flame spread apart and the individual beacons of light are slowly extinguished
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The night ends with a huge fireworks display ...
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

... with the colours of the Union Jack shining through
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

And in an apocalyptic flash, the London 2012 Olympic Games is over.
Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian