Late opera legend Luciano Pavarotti mimed during his last ever live performance, according to a new book written by his longtime conductor.

Leone Magiera - who performed alongside Pavarotti at more than 1,000 concerts - claims the tenor pre-recorded a rendition of Nessun Dorma, which was then played at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, while the orchestra, singer and conductor mimed.

Writing in new book Pavarotti Visto da Vicino (Pavarotti Seen from Up Close), Magiera recalls, "On the evening of the ceremony, the orchestra pretended to play for the audience, I pretended to conduct and Luciano pretended to sing. The effect was wonderful."

The event was Pavarotti's final public appearance. He died in September 2007, aged 71. (IG/PYN/MT)

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