The torch touches down! Beckham escorts Olympic flame as it finally lands in Britain (on board the 'custard-coloured comet') for start of 70-day relay

-Beckham lit Olympic cauldron before flame's 70-day relay around UK
-It was greeted by 500 delegates, including Nick Clegg, at Cornwall airbase
-Beckham said the handover in Athens last night gave him 'goosebumps'
-Being in bid team was among former England captain's 'proudest moments
-Flame will begin an 8,000 mile relay around UK tomorrow

By JAMES TITCOMB

Don't drop it! David Beckham looks pleased as he carries the Olympic torch at RNAS Culdrose this evening

The Olympic flame has touched down on UK soil this evening ready for its 70-day journey through Britain.
Arriving on board a special golden liveried British Airways flight from Athens, the Airbus plane 'Firefly' Flight 2012 touched down at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall at 7.25pm.
The flame was held in four different lanterns, which were fastened into specially designed cradles in seats 1A and 1B for the near four-hour flight from Athens.
It was carried down the steps of the plane by Princess Anne, who was followed by Games chairman Seb Coe, London mayor Boris Johnson and former England captain David Beckham.

David Beckham carefully lights a cauldron with the Olympic torch after arriving at RNAS Culdrose tonight. Yesterday he said he was nervous about the event but thankfully it went without a hitch

A welcoming party including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg greeted the delegation as they stepped off the plane - dubbed the 'custard-coloured comet' by Mr Johnson
The distinctive gold London 2012 torch was then lit from the lantern and was passed to Beckham.
He then climbed on to a stage and used the torch to light a cauldron at the air-sea rescue base, where it will burn overnight.
The ceremony was broadcast live on the BBC's The One Show, presented by Chris Evans.
More than 500 guests were present at Culdrose, which is home to most of the Navy's Merlin and Sea King helicopter squadrons.
Lord Coe said: 'The arrival of the Olympic Flame on home soil is a magical moment for any host country.

It worked! Beckham lights the cauldron at the airbase after escorting the Torch from Athens. It will begin its 70 day trip around Britain tomorrow

'It will connect millions of people around the UK to the Games in a unique way and allows us to celebrate the best of the UK and its people.'
Mr Clegg said the Torch relay would allow Britain to showcase itself to the world.
He said: 'Today, the Olympic Flame begins its journey across the nation. Eight thousand people will pass it from hand-to-hand, a human chain that reaches the length and breadth of Britain.
'It will visit a thousand towns, and be seen by millions; with every step, the excitement will build.
'And 10 weeks from now, the world will watch as the flame arrives at the new Olympic Stadium, bringing with it the hopes of a nation.

Beckham and Princess Anne arrive in Britain with the Olympic flame and right, Princess Anne talks to the crew members of British Airways flight BA2012 as she steps off the aircraft carrying the Olympic flame in a lantern

'This Games is for everyone. Between now and the Opening Ceremony, we have a chance to showcase our sporting heritage, our people and our culture, the things that made us such a great choice for the 2012 Olympic Games.'
Mr Johnson said: 'This is a fantastic moment for the London Games.
'With every day of the Torch relay, the excitement will build around the country as we look forward to this fantastic festival of sport and culture.
'It also signals the beginning of delivering the wonderful post Games legacy we have promised Londoners that continues to build on the jobs and economic growth that are already benefiting every corner of the capital.'
Meanwhile, to welcome the flame to British shores, the giant antennas at Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station were lit up in red, white and blue.

Princess Anne carries the Olympic flame across the tarmac at RNAS Culdrose, flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Games chairman Sebastian Coe, and David Beckham

'With every day of the Torch relay, the excitement will build around the country as we look forward to this fantastic festival of sport and culture.
'It also signals the beginning of delivering the wonderful post Games legacy we have promised Londoners that continues to build on the jobs and economic growth that are already benefiting every corner of the capital.'
Meanwhile, to welcome the flame to British shores, the giant antennas at Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station were lit up in red, white and blue.


Inspiration: Beckham said Lord Coe, left, had inspired him to take up sport as a youngster

source: dailymail