Kirstin Bailey: I'm loving the random facts from @MrAndrewCotter

Anguilla are one of the first teams out of the blocks as the Caribbean's finest emerge from behind the scenes.

This is the biggest stage they can represent Anguilla on. Their citizens - as part of a British Overseas Territory - only have the option of being part of Team GB when it comes to the Olympics.

Team Canada's Nandini Sharma has an emotional story behind her participation: "I found out two months ago my father had passed away.

"I was in Switzerland and I had just found out I was coming to these Games and I called him to let him know, that was the last conversation I had with him.

"To be here means a lot and I know he is watching and he'll be proud of me."

India get the biggest cheer of the night so far as Asia's teams are introduced to the crowd, although Pakistan are not far off.

Singapore are one of only a few teams who are all rocking face masks by the way.

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Alexander Stadium

A Canadian athlete (presumably a gymnast) has just hopped into a handstand while parading and the crowd loved it.

Teams from the America are brought in to a couple of gags from comedian Tej Dhutia and the soulful sounds of UB40's Red Red Wine.

Guyana get to wait until Eurythmics' come on the stereo.

Imagine being able to represent your country in not just one sport, but two.

New Zealand's Suzie Bates has played basketball for her national team and is at this Games as a professional cricketer.

"When I was young I just played all sports," she says. "I took a bit of a break to commit to one sport, basketball was the one when I was younger I put the most effort into but the way women's cricket has been going, it has motivated me to want to make cricket even more.

"I am still here and managed to get to a Commonwealth Games which is just amazing."

I think these would shift some serious units in the official merchandise shop.

Olympic 200m silver medallist Christine Mboma is the flag-bearer for Namibia.

Motsi Mabuse, of Strictly Come Dancing fame, has a video message to wish her compatriots well as South Africa stroll into the stadium.

Representing Fiji in judo are Tevita Takayawa and his niece Shanice.

Uncle Tevita says: "My dad started judo in Fiji and my whole family just started doing it, that is how we ended up here."

Shanice adds: "It is amazing to be here with our family and representing Fiji too, so proud."

Birmingham comedian Shazia Mirza introduces the teams from the continent of Africa.

Some great outfits here.

Cameroon, members of the Commonwealth in 1995, are in kaleidoscopic colour. The Gambia are rocking some eye-popping sky blue.

The wait is over, and Birmingham 2022 is here.

To celebrate, the Question of Sport team have put together a Commonwealth Games quiz for you to tackle.

Have a go here

Image source, BBC Sport

As Norfolk Island walk into the Stadium, they are greeted by a blast of the Spice Girls' Spice Up Your Life.

Funny old game.

Papua New Guinea are rocking some lovely Daniel San style headbands by the way.

Australia are the first nation into the Alexander Stadium for the parade of nations. Instead of green and gold, their formalwear is muted khaki with touches of banana yellow.

Not sure personally.

Next are the Cook Islands, who are rocking Pacific prints and flower crowns. Which are obviously great.

Hazel Irvine
Presenter on BBC TV

The crowd is moved by what they have seen.

The bull is roaming and grazing happily now...

John McMahon: A truly majestic, menacing, moving, memorable, ICONIC segment of the #B2022 #OpeningCeremony.