After what seems like an eternal wait, Barack Obama is getting sworn in. Before the cynicism kicks in and the whole world begins to go through every decision with a fine tooth comb, I think it’s best advised that we all enjoy the huge amount of hope filling the world right now. Of course, we can’t all be there… so with that, here’s a live blog of President Obama: The Inauguration (BBC One, Now)… click over for the low-down.

4pm From the off, in amongst all that hope and glee, is Huw Edwards. Huw is staring at the screen and grimacing like he’s got piles. Why?

4.09pm So we’ve seen Barry (looking hip and tailored) walking into a room with Dubya (looking as simple as he ever did) which must’ve been interesting. As Kevin Keegan once said… “I’d love to be a mole on the wall of that room!”

4.13pm Do we normally get to see an inauguration, broadcast live? I’m not sure we do. I like it. What I also like is the huge numbers that have turned out to witness this moment which, although a cliche, is historic.

4.16pm Fanfare! Fanfare! Fanfare! There’s a lot of brass instruments knocking about. A lot of very stern looking military types. Also, there’s George Bush Snr, looking like he’s lost his mind. Has he? Jimmy Carter’s knocking about looking all sprightly and smiley. A bit like a simple old man who likes nothing more than eating a Walnut Whip while looking at old pictures. Bill Clinton’s there too, also a bit dead behind the eyes. These former presidents are living caution to what Obama will look like in a decade.

4.17pm Some young guy who I think I recognise from Newsround called Leezard or something… he’s in Tottenham talking entirely to black people. While it’s a little patronising, it does show that Barack getting the Prez gig offers hope way beyond America’s shore.

4.22pm I’ve just received a message from a mate who says “To celebrate the occasion, Danny Baker on BBC Radio London, is playing bits of Metal Machine Music and asking listeners to guess whether it is from side one, two, three or four. I think he has an appropriate grasp of the situation, compared to the hysteria one is seeing all over the place.” That’s very funny.

4.26pm For the record, the previous record mentioned is by Lou Reed and features wailing feedback, non-stop. Oh, there’s a lot of nice coats on show at this inauguration. Also, it usually takes me three goes to type ‘inauguration’ correctly because I’m thick.

4.28pm While Huw grimaces, seemingly staring directly into the sun/a void, he tells us that Dubya and his missus will be whisked off by a helicopter after being shunted out of a back door or something. Obama will, presumably, abseil down the side of the White House to some stadium metal. He’d better. I’ve got my hopes up.

4,31pm Michelle Obama has arrived wearing a gold suit. Possibly made from Nazi gold. Who knows? One thing’s for sure, I have no idea. Fashion bloggers the world over are furious chastising/praising Michelle for her clothes right now.

4.32pm OH MY GOD! I’VE JUST REALISED THAT THEY’VE ALLOWED SOME BLACK PEOPLE IN THE WHITE HOUSE! WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

4.33pm That was a joke.

4.33pm The viewers have just learned the staggering news that “Bill Clinton is a tall man” followed by “Michelle is not much shorter”.

4.35pm A big deep voice that sounds like a speaking toy with the batteries running out yells “And heeere’s your hooost… George… Walker…. Bush!” Cue more brass band music. I feel like I’m in a bloody colliery.

4.38pm Here comes Obama, gliding out like he’s a really slow air hockey puck. He’s not stepped outside yet and I know I’m not alone in hoping we don’t hear the peel of a rifle. Please America, don’t do it. People are starting like you again.

4.40pm Jesus wept. There’s LOADS of people there. Millions of ‘em. It’s an incredible sight, it really is.

4.42pm It’s probably worth saying that, if this suddenly stops updating, it’s due to technical difficulties. We’ve had a fair few this week (allegedly thanks to a pelican flying into our server).

4.43pm Uplifting Hollywood bugle tracks! I’M COMING UP! Deep voice man: HEEEERE’S BARACK! Of course, he looks as cool as you like. Everyone is clapping and cheering and, mercifully, no-one is shooting any guns.

4.45pm It’s taken 45 mins to mention Martin Luther King. It was quickly followed by the mention of Barack’s “controversial middle name”. Controversial my arse.

4.46pm Some woman is doing the ‘warm-up act’ gig. She’s saying things like “peaceful” and “non violent struggles.” At first, I thought ‘shurrup’, but it turns out she’s talking about how cool the civil rights movement was in America. I’ll shut up.

4.49pm While some hilarious Christian does an overblown prayer to a false god, I’ll tell you that I received a nice message about my liveblog saying “I’m enjoying it greatly but may get sacked as a result. Never mind, SuperBarack will give me a new one.”

4.52pm “Hello Father, what is thy name?” According to this pastor, clearly milking it now, he’s got about a million names… including a quite camp ‘Hay-zoose!”

4.53pm Now we’re talking. Here’s the closest thing to real spiritualism… the voice of Aretha Franklin.

4.57pm Joe Biden is getting sworn in now. It’s a serious business, completely devoid of any opportunity for jokes from me. However, there was a funny moment when you could still hear the BBC crew’s teeth chattering when they forgot to turn a fader down.

5pm The bloke who did the Star Wars theme tune has written a tune, especially for the occasion. I’d love to tell you what it’s like, but all I can hear is some git talking over it. From what I can tell, it’s nothing like the Star Wars theme, or the Superman theme either.

5.02pm It sounds like Lord of the Dance. Of course, I’m singing crude football chants along with it in my head.

5.05pm Barack Obama. The new president of the USA. AND THERE’S GUNFIRE!

5.06pm Thankfully, it’s ceremonial gunfire from a bloody great cannon.

5.07pm The cheer that greeted the announcement was pretty bloody loud. Now, it’s about to get really mental… Barry’s doing his speech, which you’ll be able to read in full somewhere else because, in all honesty, I can’t type quick enough (and I’m trying to listen to it).

5.10pm It’s just occurred to me that impressionists and comedians must be pretty pissed off with Obama getting in, because, well, they won’t want to ‘black up’ will they?

5.11pm Pardon my language… but fuck me, Obama’s good at this President lark so far.

5.27pm Phew! What a speech. In it, I noted his plea for the hope and enthusiasm to continue, a not-so-sly dig at Dubya (with a mention of a ‘levée’), generally an excellent turn of phrase (“we will offer a hand if you can unclench your fist”) and looking toward a unity in America, built on a “patchwork heritage”. House? Brought down. Make sure you catch it in full, online or wherever.

5.29pm If you haven’t got Obama fatigue, don’t forget to watch Obama: His Story (BBC Two, Tuesday, 20 January, 7pm)

5.36pm A great little poetry reading, followed by a civil rights campaigner. Stirring stuff.

5.40pm To be honest, if you’re still reading this, I’d go and do something more interesting. Things seem to be winding down at the inauguration… I’ll stick around for any big events, but really, I think it’s time to get the kettle on.

5.44pm There’s some outside broadcast guy on telly. They contract is so high that he looks like he’s going to explode like Peter Petrelli. Oh, they’ve turned him down now.

5.46pm The Beeb are interviewing a guy called Nelville from Georgia and, to be honest, he should have been on stage making a speech! NELVILLE FOR PREZ!

5.52pm All the commentators and analysts are all trying to outdo each other for phrases to be remembered.

5.55pm It seems that we’re listening to someone who is trapped in a biscuit barrel.

5.56pm Dubya is off. They’ve put him in a helicopter.

5.57pm Barack is now in. Good and proper. Quite a day eh? I’m off to order a take-away now.