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London welcomes in 2020 in style

London welcomes in 2020 in style 2

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.  

There were 500 drones in the display and an image of a lion in the New Year’s Eve fireworks.

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

He had encouraged people to watch the fireworks on television and dispersed the display around the city to stop people gathering but people still did.  

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. 

The midnight show acknowledged the NHS and the vaccine campaign, mentioning the England football team’s Wembley heartbreak as well as Marcus Rashford’s campaign to feed children. 

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

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.’

Ahead of the fesitivities, ar 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 large crowds gathering in London, Hogmanay was cancelled for the second year in Scotland.

 

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

The banks of the River Thames were considerably quieter than a normal New Year's Eve as Londoner's stayed away

The banks of the River Thames were considerably quieter than a normal New Year’s Eve as Londoner’s stayed away 

The Millennium Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral were used as a backdrop for tonight's firework display

The Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral were used as a backdrop for tonight’s firework display

Pedestrians walk

Pedestrians walk 

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had urged Londoners to watch the display on television

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had urged Londoners to watch the display on television 

Crowds line the Southbank beside the Thames for New Year's Eve but they did not see any fireworks

Crowds line the Southbank beside the Thames for New Year’s Eve but they did not see any fireworks 

As well as fireworks and lasers, the New Year Eve show featured performances by Olly Alexander and the Pet Shop Boys

As well as fireworks and lasers, the New Year Eve show featured performances by Olly Alexander and the Pet Shop Boys

One of those who gathered on the Thames expecting to see fireworks resorted to climbing on a post for a better view- but still did not see any fireworks

One of those who gathered on the Thames expecting to see fireworks resorted to climbing on a post for a better view- but still did not see any fireworks 

Hundreds of people gathered in central London ahead of midnight, although this year's fireworks display was not visible from the ground

Hundreds of people gathered in central London ahead of midnight, although this year’s fireworks display was not visible from the ground

Large crowds of masked and unmasked revellers gathered to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks but could not actually see anything

Large crowds of masked and unmasked revellers gathered to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks but could not actually see anything 

People gathered along the Thames to watch the fireworks amid a heavy police presence but the display was not visible from the ground and many were left disappointed

People gathered along the Thames to watch the fireworks amid a heavy police presence but the display was not visible from the ground and many were left disappointed 

Fireworks light up the sky over the Old Royal Naval College after the normal New Year's Firework display was cancelled due to the pandemic

Fireworks light up the sky over the Old Royal Naval College after the normal New Year’s Firework display was cancelled due to the pandemic 

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 

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