Smith (pictured above), the Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist, was the last to perform on the apparatus and watched as his arch-rival, double world champion Krisztián Berki of Hungary, post a score of 16.066.

Cheered on by the partisan home crowd, the 23-year-old Peterborough-born gymnast produced a stunning performance and matched Berki's score.

But the crowd were left disappointed as Smith slipped into silver medal position due to a lower execution score – just 0.100 of a mark below Berki – on a tie-break.

Whitlock finished in bronze medal position with a strong 15.600-scoring routine to take British Gymnastics' medal tally at the Games to three, following the men's bronze success in last week's team final, and the pair admitted they were happy to make the podium despite what could have been.

Louis Smith of competes during the London 2012 men's pommel horse final at the North Greenwich Arena

"To do that routine under that type of pressure with two massive scores to beat, it was very nerve-wracking but I'm glad I'm still alive," Smith said.

"It's hard.

"The waiting game I call it.

"It's tough, especially when you put in a good performance like that.

"I knew straight away as soon as it came up that it was second place."

"I've got a silver medal, I've got my third Olympic medal and all those years ago I didn't think I would go to an Olympic Games and get three medals so I'm very happy right now."

Louis Smith and Max Whitlock celebrate their Olympic medal successes

Whitlock added: "It is amazing to get another Olympic medal after the bronze in the team final.

"To have two of us on the podium together makes it extra special."

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