Against the backdrop of eye catching visuals and a cacophony of pulsating sounds, Birmingham opened the Commonwealth Games in spectacular fashion.

From a glimpse into its industrial heartbeat, to giant “walking” puppets, harking back to the day’s of the region's most famous playwright William Shakespeare, and a memorising 20-foot rampaging mechanical bull, the 30,000 spectators inside the Alexander Stadium were treated to a memorable walk-through of the city's rich and diverse history.

Among the fanfare, the three-hour spectacle also had its poignant moments with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai emphasising the importance of education in a surprise appearance.

As the energetic performances wound down, the ceremony turned its attention to the stars of the Games, the athletes, as the parade of nations commenced.

Bermuda, led out by joint flag bearers Emma Keane and Dage Minors, certainly caught the eye, with their customary pink shorts, helping to give Birmingham a taste of the island.

Having lapped up the applause from the crowd on their lap of the stadium, Bermuda’s athletes joined their counterparts from the 72 competing nations and territories centre stage, as the curtain came down on the ceremony and the Games officially started.