'Heaven' songstress Emeli Sandé says performing at the Olympic Games this year was the most "nerve wracking" experience of her life.

The star took to the stage at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 games earlier this year and says the impressive honour played havoc with her nerves.

She explained in an interview with Q magazine: ''My highlight of the year was stepping out to sing 'Abide With Me' at the Olympics Opening Ceremony. That was a huge moment. And the most nerve wracking of my life, not just the year. Partly because at the dress rehearsal, in front of 16,000 people, my mic wasn't working.

She added: ''However, I felt very calm when I stepped out. You can't really see people, you can only see lights. Everybody went very quiet. It was like being underwater."