Opening ceremony a hit around globe - Sky News Australia

Updated: 02:58, Sunday July 29, 2012

For some it was the end of a long night, for others a very early start, but for Olympic fans watching the opening ceremony on a big screen in a Sydney sports bar it was the next best thing to being in London.

A TV commentator described the show as 'brilliant but bonkers' and that pretty much summed up how the city's residents viewed it.

Shrouded in secrecy in the run-up to the Games, few knew what to expect from film director Danny Boyle's epic showpiece but around the world opinions have been largely positive.

'I loved the Queen acting with James Bond, and of course Mr Bean,' said one Sydney resident.

Another fan praised the music, saying: 'I love British bands and it was great they put so many famous British songs in there.'

The three-and-a-half-hour show seemed to be an instant hit with many, the British sense of humour and eccentricity particularly popular.

The Queen's cameo appearance was a particular highlight as she took part in a comical segment filmed in Buckingham Palace with Daniel Craig, before seemingly parachuting into the Olympic Stadium with the James Bond star.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said today she was 'very happy' to have taken part and was 'delighted to be asked to be involved in something so exceptional'.

Los Angeles Times sports reporter Bill Plaschke tweeted: 'James Bond and Queen Elizabeth II 'parachute' into the stadium, then kids in pyjamas sing the national anthem... works for me.'

Another LA Times reporter, who tweeted shortly after Harry Potter author JK Rowling read from Peter Pan, said: 'The Queen acting, JK Rowling reading in public, can you top this?'

The appearance of Mr Bean also got viewers chuckling, with Rowan Atkinson's comical character seeming to go down well with the American press.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has meanwhile dismissed suggestions by Conservative MP Aidan Burley the Olympic Games opening ceremony was too left-wing.

'That is nonsense,' he said. 'I'm a Conservative and I had hot tears of patriotic pride from the beginning. I was blubbing like Andy Murray.'

The ceremony, which has attracted rave reviews, was watched on TV by 26.9 million people in the UK, according to the BBC.

By comparison, peak viewing figures of 23.2 million were recorded for England's Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy, while 17.1 million watched the Wimbledon final between Andy Murray and Roger Federer.

Devised by Oscar-winning film director Danny Boyle, the 27m extravaganza started with a giant bell being rung by Tour de France hero Bradley Wiggins.

It ended with the Queen declaring the 30th Games open and seven young athletes lighting the truly breathtaking Olympic cauldron, which was made up of more than 200 flames.

In between the stadium audience of 62,000, who included heads of government and VIPs from around the world, were treated to a series of dazzling performances by the thousands of volunteers and professionals recruited by Boyle.

Footballer David Beckham steered the boat which ferried the Olympic Torch from City Hall to Stratford, where it was collected and taken to the Olympic Stadium by rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave.

The lighting of the cauldron was followed by a fireworks display and Sir Paul McCartney performing the Beatles' classic Hey Jude.