23-year-old Nicholas McCarthy, who is the first one-handed pianist to graduate from the College, will round off the London Games in style and play his part in the first-ever disabled orchestra, The British Paraorchestra.

Nicholas, who was born without his right hand, began piano lessons at the age of 14, and at 17, secured himself a place at the junior department of London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

He is one of the 19-strong member orchestra who will collaborate with music band Coldplay and light up the stage during the official Paralympic flag handover to Brazil, the country that hosts the Games in four years time.

Nicholas has described the opportunity to showcase his incredible talent to the world as "amazing".

He told the BBC: "I can't get my head round it really, it's amazing.

"As a classical pianist, I'd never thought I'd be playing alongside Coldplay at the Paralympics, it's a bit mad to be honest, it's wonderful. I can't wait to meet them," said Nicholas, who will headline his first evening concert later this month.

Funded last year by famous British conductor Charles Hazlewood, the orchestra's profile has risen considerably during this period.

Ahead of Sunday's Paralympic finale, London 2012 Paralympic Games organisers have yet to confirm any of the details of the Closing Ceremony.

By Stuart Appleby

You can watch a video of Nicholas performing below.