Welcome to 2022!: Firework and lights show illuminates sky over London with nods to the NHS and England's Euro2020 side - but not everyone is impressed - while crowds gather in parts of the capital despite Boris Johnson's call for caution

 New Year was rang in with fireworks, lasers, drones and live performances in London tonight.

A live broadcast on BBC One featured iconic landmarks across the capital including Shakespeare's Globe, Greenwich Old Royal Naval College, Millenium Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral.   

Festivities took place and people gathered along the Thames despite London mayor Sadiq Khan cancelling the official firework display this year.

He had encouraging people to watch the BBC One coverage of the event on television.

And Prime Minister Boris Johnson had also urged caution but it did not stop people from celebrating New Year with their friends in London.

People were seen lining up masked and unmasked along the Thames and Piccadilly despite pleas for caution from both men. 

But many were left disappointed as they could not see fireworks from where they stood on the river and others reacted on social media to the event, unimpressed.

Instead of one large fireworks display, there were smaller pyrotechnic shows during the 13 minutes along the River Thames interspersed with live performance from Olly Alexander and The Pet Shop Boys. 

Fireworks and drones were launched from Old Royal Naval College set to music from Elton John, Dua Lipa and Blur, alongside words from Sir Ian McKellen, England football manager Gareth Southgate and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. 

The event on television also featured a performance from the West End Musical Choir at Shakespeare's Globe and messages from Paloma Faith and Jessie Ware.

Londoner Tomfoolery wrote a special poem for the event which was performed by actor Giles Terera. 

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: 'For the first time ever, we also included live performances to celebrate London's world-class creative sector which has been hit hard by the pandemic. 

'Our unique cultural offer is one of the reasons we are the greatest city in the world, and I'm delighted that tonight we have sent a message to the world that we are strong, we are resilient, and we can look forward to 2022 in London with excitement.'

Fireworks lit up the sky in front of the London Eye at midnight with a smaller display than normal

Fireworks lit up the sky in front of the London Eye at midnight with a smaller display than normal

Fireworks explode at the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich in London

Fireworks explode at the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich in London

Lights shine up into the sky during a midnight display of drones and fireworks celebrating the new year at the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich

Lights shine up into the sky during a midnight display of drones and fireworks celebrating the new year at the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich

Despite calls for people to exercise some caution, Piccadilly Circus was packed as people watched firewors explode in the sky

Despite calls for people to exercise some caution, Piccadilly Circus was packed as people watched firewors explode in the sky

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had also urged caution but it did not stop people from celebrating New Year with their friends in London

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had also urged caution but it did not stop people from celebrating New Year with their friends in London

The event on television also featured a performance from the West End Musical Choir at Shakespeare's Globe and messages from Paloma Faith and Jessie Ware. Pictured: People hug in London at the start of the New Year

The event on television also featured a performance from the West End Musical Choir at Shakespeare's Globe and messages from Paloma Faith and Jessie Ware. Pictured: People hug in London at the start of the New Year

Pyrotechnics go off to mark the start of the year 2022, just after midnight, by the Millennium Bridge going over the River Thames

Pyrotechnics go off to mark the start of the year 2022, just after midnight, by the Millennium Bridge going over the River ThamesAhead of the fesitivities, at the London Eye, a group of anti-vaxxers held a protest which resulted in a heavy police presence. 

It involved Piers Corbyn and comes after he was arrested in late December for encouraging people to burn down MPs' offices. 

Despite festivities and crowds gathering in London, Hogmanay was cancelled for the second year in Scotland. 

There were no major events in Scotland or Wales due to restrictions but it did not stop some people celebrating the New Year anyway.

About 1,000 people of all ages climbed to the top of Edinburgh's Calton Hill to make the traditional countdown to the bells at midnight.


People stood and saw in the New Year on Edinburgh's Calton Hill despite Covid restrictions in Scotland seeing Hogmanay cancelled again

People stood and saw in the New Year on Edinburgh's Calton Hill despite Covid restrictions in Scotland seeing Hogmanay cancelled againThe Big Ben was illuminated during the celebrations and it chimed when the clock struck midnight

The Big Ben was illuminated during the celebrations and it chimed when the clock struck midnight 



Social media users were not all impressed with the fireworks this year, with one using a picture of Mr Bean to express their disappointment

Social media users were not all impressed with the fireworks this year, with one using a picture of Mr Bean to express their disappointment 

Another wrote "The British public reacting to the "firework" display with a Gavin and Stacey gif saying 'Is that it?'

Another wrote 'The British public reacting to the 'firework' display with a Gavin and Stacey gif saying 'Is that it?'

But London mayor Sadiq Khan wrote a positive social media post, wishing Londoners and the world a 'Happy New Year' and showcasing parts of the midnight display

But London mayor Sadiq Khan wrote a positive social media post, wishing Londoners and the world a 'Happy New Year' and showcasing parts of the midnight display 

Piers Corbyn was part of an anti-vaccine protest at New Year's festivities tonight despite his recent arrest for encouraging people to burn down MPs' offices

Piers Corbyn was part of an anti-vaccine protest at New Year's festivities tonight despite his recent arrest for encouraging people to burn down MPs' offices 

Pictured: Anti-vaxxers clash with police at their protest in Jubilee Gardens ahead of New Year's celebrations

Pictured: Anti-vaxxers clash with police at their protest in Jubilee Gardens ahead of New Year's celebrations 

Angry protesters fought with police at an anti-vaccine event at Jubilee Gardens ahead of the New Year's Eve television show

Angry protesters fought with police at an anti-vaccine event at Jubilee Gardens ahead of the New Year's Eve television show

Anti-vaxxers held  demonstration in central London with various people opposed to Covid-19 regulations and possible vaccine passports

Anti-vaxxers held  demonstration in central London with various people opposed to Covid-19 regulations and possible vaccine passports

Maskless protesters stood on the Southbank next to the London Eye for the late night demonstration against Covid rules

Maskless protesters stood on the Southbank next to the London Eye for the late night demonstration against Covid rules 

Lasers were shot across the London skyline from St Paul's Cathedral

Lasers were shot across the London skyline from St Paul's Cathedral People stood and saw in the New Year on Edinburgh's Calton Hill despite Covid restrictions in Scotland seeing Hogmanay cancelled again

People stood and saw in the New Year on Edinburgh's Calton Hill despite Covid restrictions in Scotland seeing Hogmanay cancelled again

The Big Ben was illuminated during the celebrations and it chimed when the clock struck midnight

The Big Ben was illuminated during the celebrations and it chimed when the clock struck midnight 

No comments:

Powered by Blogger.