Commonwealth Games: Birmingham puts on captivating opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games was wonderful.

The baton relay came to a close with a show of support for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBT) community by diver Tom Daley.

The biggest shock came when a 10m tall bull came thundering into the stadium as part of a ceremony that celebrated the multiculturalism of both the Commonwealth and the UK.

After the parade of athletes concluded, each of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were warmly received before England arrived in a cloud of confetti to send the crowd singing We Will Rock You.

More than 5,000 athletes from 72 nations and territories are expected at the opening of the Games on Friday.

A call for social change

In its opening ceremony partly masterminded by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and which organizers said would be watched by more than a billion people worldwide, Birmingham laid down an early marker for what it wants to offer.

A mile away from Alexander Stadium, there are signs that say "sport is just the beginning", which is in reference to the calls for social change made by the two athletes.

Athletes have been told that they can use their platform to protest against social injustice at the Games.

Chains representing slaves used in the slave trade were used in the ceremony to pull the giant bull into the stadium.

With the future of a group of nations becoming increasingly uncertain, it also called for togetherness, with Jamaica's prime minister saying it will be " moving on".

The diver has spoken out against Commonwealth countries that criminalize same sex relationships in the past.

A surreal Shakespeare puppet and dancing cars

The weight of legacy hung in the air before the ceremony even began as residents flooded to the stadium to celebrate their city being at the center of a global event

The Commonwealth Games' relevance in an increasingly packed sporting calendar and the £778m cost did not seem to have reached the many fans queueing to get in before the Alexander Stadium gates opened.

In times of darkness, we carry a dream of light that beckons us all to gather.

In times of darkness, we carry a dream of light that calls us all to come together.

A lot of red, white and blue cars drove into the stadium after an intense opening sequence.

The Union Jack was formed before the royal couple entered the arena.

A four-metre-high puppet of William Shakespeare was about to enter the stadium.

It was a ceremony of light and shade that switched between uplifting and raging moments.

A joyful moment with Shakespeare and three other giant puppets turned into a dark one as a tower at the end of the stadium was engulfed in flames to symbolize a library that burned down with a collection of Shakespeare's works inside.

The biggest cheer of the night came when the girl who was shot by the Taliban as a teenager entered the stadium.

She spoke about the importance of girls having access to education before welcoming the crowd to the city.

Bull rages, then dances

The move between light and dark was demonstrated when a giant raging bull entered the stadium and passed the spotlight from one icon to another.

Sir Lenny Henry interrupted proceedings to welcome 72 teams of excited athletes into the arena after the bull was tamed by the leading star.

The crowd's singing made their entrance all the more intimidating.

Hockey player Alex Danson and gymnast Max Whitlock were also entered to finish off the baton relay.

Prince Charles opened the Games as he read a message from the Queen, who called the city a pioneer.

The giant bull swayed its head to the beat as the fireworks went off, followed by a performance by the local artist.

What to watch on day one

This year's event features the largest number of events for women and Para-sport athletes in Games history, and there will be up to 11 live streams to choose from.

Alex Yee and Georgia Taylor-Brown will go for gold in the triathlon on Friday while England and Scotland have high hopes in the track cycling.

There is a chance that Australia will steal the show in the pool with the possibility of an olympic champion opening her account and a world record being set.

England and Scotland will try to win the gold medal in the men's team competition.