Big name singers, actors and even the inventor of the world wide web spoke of their pride at being a part of London 2012's live opening ceremony.
A whole section was dedicated to Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the world wide web.
He said: "The opening ceremony is a fantastic show, a tribute to the athletes who have worked so hard to get here.
"It is a great honour to be involved with it. Every Olympic Games is a very special event, but this one is particularly for me being in the city in which I grew up."
Berners-Lee even tweeted from the Olympic stage.
Dizzee Rascal, who sang his hit Bonkers, said: "It is exciting to be part of the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. It is a good time for the UK and I am glad they asked me to perform one of my greatest tracks to represent the country.
"Huge respect to all the athletes who are taking part and let's get the party started."
Singer Emeli Sande, who performed Abide With Me, said: "I am extremely proud and humbled to be part of the amazing ceremony which will allow the world to see some of the best up-and-coming and established talent the UK has produced."
Musician Mike Oldfield, who led an all-dancing tribute to the NHS, said: "I am immensely proud to be involved with this momentous event and in helping to bring Danny Boyle's vision to reality.
"The opening ceremony will see the London 2012 Olympic Games off to a spectacular flying start."
Earlier, the Queen became a Bond girl as she made her debut acting role at the Olympics opening ceremony.
Billions watched worldwide as James Bond, played by actor Daniel Craig, was summoned to Buckingham Palace to accept his latest mission.
The MI6 spy emerged from a black cab and was welcomed into the palace by the Queen's corgis who trotted along beside him as he was shown into a drawing room to meet his new boss.
Bond stood to attention quietly for a few moments as the Queen remained head down, writing at her desk.
After a little prompting cough from 007, wearing black tie, the Queen turned around to acknowledge the world's most famous secret agent, saying: "Good Evening, Mr Bond".
Loud applause filled the Olympic Stadium as fans cheered their delight.
In the months leading up to the Games it had been reported that Craig really had accepted a job On Her Majesty's Secret Service and that the Queen had filmed the sequence with him - but a question mark hung over whether it was true.
Then it appeared that the Queen climbed into a waiting helicopter with Bond to be flown off to the stadium where the pair parachuted into the grounds.
The film had the pair apparently looking down on scenes of happy Londoners waving at them and celebrating - with a statue of Sir Winston Churchill coming to life and smiling up at them.
As the film neared its end the distant sound of an Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter became louder and louder in the stadium until the audience saw it hovering above.
As the helicopter steadied Bond slid open the door and the Queen jumped out, followed by Bond.
The Queen making her Hollywood debut
Seconds later the 007 theme tune sounded around the Stadium and the Union Flag opened up in front of the Royal Box to reveal the Queen.
She was accompanied by a smiling Duke of Edinburgh and entered the stadium with IOC president Jacque Rogge.
The Union Flag was then carried in to the stadium and raised by representatives of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.