Russell Brand feeling patriotic after Olympics opening ceremony

Comedian Russell Brand felt an unexpected surge of pride while watching the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games on Friday after previously dismissing the big Olympics event as "propaganda".

The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star was one of an estimated four billion people around the world who tuned in to watch the launch of the sporting spectacular, which saw appearances from stars like Kenneth Branagh, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and comedian Rowan Atkinson, and a James Bond-themed sketch featuring Queen Elizabeth II with 007 hunk Daniel Craig.

Filmmaker Danny Boyle, who served as artistic director of the grand opening, has received high praise for the successful bash and even Brand admits he was won over by the whole extravaganza.

He tells WENN, "I saw that I've been taking the p**s out of (mocking) the Olympics because it's a thing that I don't like, organised festivity and fun. I think of it as, like, a bit bread and circuses, a bit propaganda, a bit, 'Keep them all dosed up on stupidity.' But actually, I watched that opening ceremony. I thought it was really good. The Queen was with James Bond. How can you not feel enthused? Her Majesty, the Queen of England, in a film now!"