ldyson@thekmgroup.co.uk

While most of us watched in awe at the Olympic closing ceremony from our sofas, a Sheppey man and his scooter were part of it.

Former Thamesteel worker Stuart Roberts rubbed shoulders with the Spice Girls, Fatboy Slim and Russell Brand, to name but a few, on Sunday night.

The 40-year-old rode his 1961 Lambretta scooter around the Olympic Stadium, with dancer Yolanda Blades on the back, as part of the Kaiser Chiefs’ tribute to mod culture.

Organisers spotted a picture of his vehicle on an Australian photographer’s website that he had taken during a trip to Margate when Mr Roberts was on a rally there.

The father of four, of Queenborough Road, Halfway, said: “I received an email from a lady and when the email came through I saw it and didn’t open it because I thought it was a scam.

“She phoned me up a week later and said they saw a picture of my scooter on the internet.”

When she asked he jumped at the chance to take part.

It was a decision that meant he had to make seven 110-mile round trips on his bike to Dagenham, in Essex, where the rehearsals were held. Details of the ceremony were kept highly confidential.

He said: “It is one of those things you will never, ever be able to describe. Seeing how all the different movements got put together was just incredible.

“There was so much going on and just knowing you are being watched by 1.2billion people was amazing.”

“Victoria Beckham was actually really nice, all of them were. There was no us and them we were all in it together.”

At home, children Morgan, 13, Frankie, 10, Finley, six, and Stanley, five, all watched proudly while eating popcorn.

Mr Roberts bought his beloved bike 12 years ago from Medway Scooters, in Rochester and personally added hydraulic suspension to it.

On Monday, H & L Graphics, in Queenborough, printed London 2012 designs on the vehicle to commemorate its part in history.

Mr Roberts is a member of the Island’s Sid James Scooter Club.

Since Sunday he and the other 45 riders from around the country in the performance have formed the 2012 Olympiad Scooter Club.

They plan to meet again in a month or so.