For the many millions watching the Olympics opening ceremony at home it was a fantastic spectacle to open the games but for one Kings Langley couple it was far more personal as they both performed in the opening ceremony.

Peter and Tamara Donn, both 46, took their place on stage for Friday’s three-hour £27m extravaganza, directed by Oscar winning director Danny Boyle.

The ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of world leaders, included a celebration of the history of Great Britain, tributes to the NHS and Great Ormond Street Hospital as well as nods to our literary and musical offerings.

Many amongst the estimated 15,000 cast were surprised by some elements of the show, with the Queen making an acting debut alongside James Bond star Daniel Craig and Rowan Atkinson reviving his Mr Bean character both kept secret from all but a few of the opening ceremony organisers.

Peter said: "It was amazing, I can’t find the words to describe what the feeling was like.

"We didn’t know anything about Rowan Atkinson, we knew there was something to do with the Queen and Daniel Craig but we had no idea what that was.

"That bit was a surprise to see and a lot of fun.

"I remember the music very clearly, it was very evocative. There was a good beat with drums in the background.

"We were on stage between about 9.10pm and 9.30pm, there were about 1,000 people in my team, Tamara was one of the people looking after the children around the maypole."

Speaking after the ceremony, in which he had helped in the "industrial revolution" scene change by pulling back grass, Mr Donn said: "It is one of life’s big experiences.

"Half way through I was concerned that the activity I was doing would be more like a stage hand, just clearing the green and pleasant land but it was taking less time than we thought so we were able to do a bit that had been in doubt.

"Originally we had very heavy turf to move and it was running a lot over and taking ages but the show turf was lighter and it all went well on the night."

The pair, of Love Lane, Kings Langley, both work as emotional freedom technique practitioners had become involved after initially auditioning to perform as drummers.

As an extra surprise, the pair were able to mingle with athletes including Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt as they lined up to march around the stadium.