by Stephen Waite

While most of us can only imagine what it was like to take part in the closing ceremony of the Olympics, Francesca Burgess was there.

The 23-year-old former Sittingbourne Community College pupil, who was among the 3,500-strong cast of volunteers watched by an audience of billions, revealed: “I was John Lennon’s left eyebrow.”

A video of the former Beatle singing his classic song Imagine was played and performers, including Francesca, rushed on stage, each carrying segments which were put together to create a giant model of his face.

“It was like a jigsaw puzzle so I was worrying what would happen if it didn’t fit together properly.

“It was really, really nerve-racking seeing the stadium fill up and the royal family were there so I didn’t want it to go wrong.

“Once out on stage it was a really good feeling, such a great experience. I was just waving and smiling a lot.”

Francesca, of Lewson Street, Norton, who did dance and drama at school, applied to take part after finding out volunteers were needed.

Two hundred people turned up to the three-hour audition and were tested on general movement skills and stamina.

After a second, more dance-focused session, Francesca received an email confirming she had been picked.

Rehearsals were held in Dagenham and east London three to four times a week and the performers were sworn to secrecy about their role and who would be appearing.

“Everyone who was in the show rehearsed at Dagenham with us, apart from Take That and Beady Eye,” said Francesca.

“It was like a private concert.

“We didn’t get to rehearse at all in the stadium. The first time we went in was on TV in front of millions of people, which was scary.”

As well as the closing ceremony, Francesca went to see dressage at Greenwich and football at Wembley.

“I went a little bit Olympics crazy,” she said. “My brother, David, had tickets for the men’s 100m final but I had a rehearsal that day so didn’t get to go.”

Francesca, who is an events co-ordinator for a pharmaceutical agency, will be also be volunteering as a London ambassador during the Paralympics.

“There’s a really good spirit and mood all over London so it’s not hard work, it just having fun really.”