NEW Year’s Eve fireworks in London have been given the green light with just hours to spare – as live performances feature for the first time ever. The annual display was officially axed for a second year running in October after Covid previously extinguished 2020’s plans. But The Sun has exclusively learnt Londoners will be treated […]
NEW Year’s Eve fireworks in London have been given the green light with just hours to spare – as live performances feature for the first time ever.
The annual display was officially axed for a second year running in October after Covid previously extinguished 2020’s plans.
But The Sun has exclusively learnt Londoners will be treated to a fireworks bonanza tonight in a glimmer of hope against the gloom of the ongoing pandemic.
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
City Hall bosses had tried tonight’s display under wraps to keep crowds away but with Omicron not as severe as originally feared, the plans will go ahead.
It is understood the pyrotechnics spectacular will feature live performances for the first time ever.
Sir Elton John and Dua Lipa are among the stars who will usher in the new year.
There are also messages from Gareth Southgate, Paloma Faith, Sir Ian McKellen and Sadiq Khan.
Read our New Year live blog to follow all the latest action
A special poem celebrating the brighter moments that punctuated 2021 will also feature, it is understood.
The work from Tomfoolery will make reference to Emma Raducanu’s US Open win, the vaccine roll out and Tom Daley’s Olympic triumph.
Fireworks will then explode across a range of locations in London as the country celebrates the start of 2022.
Officials are also hoping to carry out the biggest ever drone display with 500 to take to the skies.
There will also be lasers alongside the planned firework display.
The 13-minute display is said to be the most inclusive yet as refugees and those from LGBTQ+ communities speak out.
And Big Ben will finally bong at midnight after undergoing restoration for Britain’s flagship New Year’s Eve celebration.
The display was officially axed in October “due to the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Sadiq Khan later announced a 6,500-person party in Trafalgar Square would be held in its place, with live music, stage performers and food stalls.
Even that was ditched on December 20 over fears surrounding the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant.
But after Downing Street gave December 31 get-togethers the green light, calls mounted to let the fireworks display go ahead as usual.
Last year, eerie pictures showed the riverside deserted as the clock struck 12.
A surprise show took place with a spectacular light display also projected from Tower Bridge and the Shard.
It comes as Britain today marked its hottest New Year’s Eve on record – with temperatures already reaching 14.9C.
The Met Office said the previous record of 14.8C in Colwyn Bay, Wales in 2011 was toppled at 11am in Ryehill, East Yorks.
