Before you start thinking, "Wow, she nearly moved Giovanni Trapattoni to tears, 'n all", that is of course Joe Biden.

The Halo crooner - bedecked in a demure black dress with emerald earrings - warbled The Star Spangled Banner in Washington DC yesterday, immediately following the president's swearing-in and speech.

The 31-year-old, who previously performed At Last four years ago at one of Obama's inaugural balls, received huge applause from the audience, which included hubbie Jay-Z, Eva Longoria, will.i.am, and Katy Perry and John Mayer. Yep, still together. Sorry Taylor. Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder (will.i.am failed to join him on this occasion...), James Taylor and Marc Anthony (who I had to refer to as 'rat features' before anyone in the office knew who I was referring to) all banged out belters during the ball. Jamie Foxx just turned up to point the finger.

But back to Beyonce. She has long been one of the President's most high profile supporters, writing a letter of praise for him ahead of last November's US presidential election, in which she credited him with inspiring the future generation, including her own daughter.

She wrote: "Every day we see your heart and character, inspiring us to give more of ourselves. You are the leader to take us from where we are to where we need to be. You are the reason my daughter and nephew will grow up knowing that they can truly be ANYTHING they want to be. All my respect and adoration, Beyonce."

>Celebrities tweet support for Barack Obama during inauguration