For the first time ever, hundreds of theatre fans gathered to watch the 2012 Olivier Awards with MasterCard live from London’s iconic Covent Garden piazza at a special public celebration of London’s most prestigious theatre awards.

Created in collaboration with Magic 105.4, radio presenter Neil Fox hosted the Olivier Awards Covent Garden Piazza stage alongside musical theatre star Louise Dearman.

In the run up to the ceremony, the gathered audience enjoyed show stopping performances from some of London’s best loved shows – including BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award nominees Billy Elliot The Musical, Jersey Boys and Wicked – as well as an exclusive performance by Louise Dearman.

Once the action began at the Royal Opera House, where the glittering ceremony was held, the outdoor screens showed the stars arrive on the red carpet before the ceremony was relayed live. There were also plenty of surprises in store when the piazza event was relayed back to the Royal Opera House as presenters Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball arrived to open the second half of the ceremony on the piazza stage, and Les Misérables was on hand to perform an emotional acceptance performance of One Day More to celebrate its BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award win with the statuette proudly held high by the show’s thrilled cast.

Predicting the evening’s success prior to the event, presenter Fox said: "It’s going to be a spectacular night and we’re really looking forward to seeing the crowds in the Covent Garden Piazza watching some of the best West End shows live on stage, as well as all the winners as they collect their accolades."

Fox said: "It’s going to be a spectacular night and we’re really looking forward to seeing the crowds in the Covent Garden Piazza watching some of the best West End shows live on stage, as well as all the  winners as they collect their accolades."