OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Comic hero Rowan Atkinson delivers stellar cameo

By Ben Burrows, Sportsbeat, London 2012

ROWAN Atkinson put in a stellar performance of Chariots of Fire as Simon Rattle conducted the London Symphony Orchestra as part of Danny Boyle’s Olympic opening ceremony.

STELLAR CAMEO: Rowan Atkinson joins Boyle's creation as actor rediscovers Mr Bean character

Atkinson reprised his most famous role of Mr Bean on the keyboard and provided some comic relief taking part in a recreation of the classic 1981 film.

Boyle’s nod to the greats of the big screen was complimented with typical Bean-esque slapstick comedy.

The silent star, popular worldwide was then joined by a more abstract video element charting the increasing importance of the digital age.

Harry Hill, Oliver Twist and Blackadder were all involved in a video montage projected on a giant three dimensional house in the centre of the stadium.

Artists as diverse as Rizzle Kicks, The Jam and the Sugababes were all on show as Boyle also acknowledged the best of British music.

Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody played back to back with the Beatles’ She loves You as the multi-million pound display took a more musical turn.

London-born Dizzee Rascal performed in front of the capacity crowd before the sequence ended with Sir Tim Berners-Lee - the creator of the world wide web - arriving on stage.

The Queen had previously entered the stadium alongside Daniel Craig as James Bond in a breathtaking second sequence.

© Sportsbeat 2012