As temperatures rocketed above 30 degrees an estimated 600,000 people took to the streets of London on Saturday to celebrate EuroPride Day, the end of a two week European festival that saw an unprecedented schedule of exhibitions, film screenings, sporting events, comedy shows, theatre performances and music concerts to showcase London’s vibrant gay and lesbian culture.

The EuroPride Parade marched down Oxford Street and Regent Street, the first time this has ever taken place in London’s history, with 40 floats and around 200 costumed groups, walking bands and thousands of individual paraders including  40 Royal Navy personnel who were allowed to wear their uniforms at the march.

Hollywood actor Ian McKellen, Coronation Street's Anthony Cotton and politicians from all parties joined the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone at the front of the parade which also included the Metropolitan Police and the Royal Air Force.

Livingstone said the celebrations were a chance to celebrate the lesbian and gay community's contribution to the city.

"What this shows as we march through the city of London - one of the greatest cities on earth - is a city can be a wonderful place to live in with people of every race, religion and sexuality," Livingstone said.

Gay campaigner Peter Tatchell joined the rally brandishing a picture of the Pope dressed as a drag queen, while Stonewall marched with placards demanding the dismissal of Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles after her recently used the word gay in a derogatory way,

A Scotland Yard spokesman said about 40,000 people had turned out for the parade.

"It shows to the world what London is, the world's most diverse, gay-friendly city," said Jason Pollock, EuroPride06 Chief Executive.
 
On Sunday evening the Royal Albert Hall glittered with gay celebrities as EuroPride: The Show brought the festival to a dramatic close with Sir Elton John and Kiki Dee singing ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.

Other performers at the sold out event for 4,000 people included Boy George, Julian Clary, Graham Norton, Billy Jean-King, Andrew Hayden-Smith, Sandi Toksvig, Graham Norton, Heather Small, Alan Carr and Stephen Fry.

"This was without doubt the most spectacular Pride festival London has ever seen. The record-breaking parade on Saturday and the thrilling show at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, made it the perfect Pride weekend that exceeded all expectations,” said Pollock.
 
"London yet again demonstrated that it is the most inclusive and tolerant city in the world, and proved that the Pride weekend is a major part of the capital's social calendar every summer for everyone to enjoy."