Thousands lodge complaints over Britain's 'tacky' Olympics handover ceremony

London Mayor Boris Johnson came in for particular criticism, as did the version of Whole Lotta Love performed by Leona Lewis and Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page.

Seven million viewers tuned in to watch the closing ceremony, during which David Beckham kicked a ball into the crowd and Lewis arrived in a red London bus.

But hundreds of viewers have contacted MailOnline to voice their anger - and embarrassment -  at the ceremony.

Boris Johnson has come in for particular criticism

And three thousand British viewers let rip on the BBC News website and the corporation's Have Your Say online message boards.

The BBC forums were so busy moderators had to close them down to make space for new debates.

Two hundred comments on the corporation's website were censored because they were obscene.

And in a MailOnline poll, more than three-quarters of those who replied said that they had been embarrassed by Britain's handover.

 A London bus tours the Bird's Nest stadium

By midday today, out of a total of 5200 people who had voted, 3900 people believed that the ceremony had been embarrassing rather than a source of pride.

Rod Harris, from Chesterfield said: 'What a sloppy shower to show the world.

'And, Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page who on earth are they, and what do have they to do with The Olympic ideal?

'Is this the best culture we have to show the world? After the Chinese, carefully presented, neat, and well thought out show, we should be ashamed.'

'Pole up her dress': Leona Lewis sang at the ceremony

Margaret Banes, from Liverpool, wrote: 'To say I was embarrassed is an understatement.

'Our ceremony was nothing less than tacky; and my goodness, how bad did Boris Johnson look.'

'The song Leona Lewis sang sounded dreadful. David Beckham looked so embarrassed too. I wish I could turn back time and I'd put on a much better show myself.'

John, from Witney, said: "I agree with the Chinese as I was embarrassed by the casualness of Boris Johnson and even more so by the pathetic unimaginative British contribution to the closing ceremony.

'We may have won a few medals this Olympics and some respect for our athletes but I doubt if we won any hearts or respect as a sophisticated modern nation.'

In China, too, it was Boris Johnson's performance that most dismayed the Games' hosts.

London's mayor was roundly condemned for his 'arrogant' attitude towards the ceremony.

'David Beckham looked so embarrassed': Viewers complained about the handover segment

Writing on Sohu, the website of one of Beijing's official sponsors, one angry blogger listed his complaints about London's mayor.

'At such formal occasion, he should have buttoned his jacket,' he said.

'If you dress informally or not properly, it can be seen as disrespect to the host.  

'When he was stepping to the stage and down, he put his hand in the pocket of his jacket.

'This shows he was extremely casual, he did not seem to take this occasion seriously.

Ben, from Brighton posted on MailOnline saying that he agreed with the consensus that the ceremony had been a let-down.

'The 8 minute British handover was a mish-mash, the way Boris Johnson conducted himself was embarrassing and David Beckham's performance was lacklustre, ' he said.

'I hope that when it's our turn in four years time we can do a little better.'

Leona Lewis and guitarist Jimmy Page perform as David Beckham kicks a ball during the Closing Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games