HAPPY NEW CHEER!
Britain rings in 2022 with a BANG as parties go ahead and dazzling fireworks return to the capital
BRITAIN has welcomed 2022 with a bang as parties went ahead across the country and fireworks returned to the capital.
The sky above London was lit up with a dazzling firework and light display as thousands of onlookers watched along the Thames.
35
35
35
35
35
Revellers across the country toasted to the New Year - with partygoers in England given the green light to celebrate.
Brits up and down the country packed into clubs and pubs to celebrate and put their Covid fears on hold for a few hours.
But in Scotland and Wales, where clubs are banned due to draconian restrictions, celebrations took on a muted tone.
But many canny Scots and Welsh sneaked across the borders into England to party and avoid their governments’ gloomy orders.
Meanwhile the streets of Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham rang out in cheers as Brits toasted and hugged each other.
A fresh-faced Big Ben chimed in 2022 last night following an £80 million revamp — with the one facing the River Thames lit up to showcase Britain to the world.
Most read in The Sun
London’s annual New Year’s Eve party was officially cancelled for the second year back in October due to Covid fears.
But it did not stop the capital putting on a firework, light and drone show which was broadcast live on BBC1.
🔵 Read our New Year live blog to follow all the latest action
City Hall officials kept the details of the “broadcast spectacular” tightly under wraps in a bid to discourage the public gathering.
But thousands of people still lined London Bridge hoping to get a glimpse of the stunning display set off from the Millennium Bridge and a dazzling light show over St Paul’s Cathedral.
The BBC’s 13-minute spectacular featured live performances from Kylie Minogue, Olly Alexander and the Pet Shop Boys and messages from England manager Gareth Southgate, actor Sir Ian McKellen and London mayor Sadiq Khan.
Pre-recorded tunes by Elton John and Dua Lipa were also part of the broadcast.
Meanwhile in Newcastle, a laser light city display was projected over the Millennium and Tyne bridges and large crowds gathered to enjoy the show.
Bristol's pubs and bars were packed out with revellers as well as Welsh partygoers that came to the for a night of freedom on the town.
But the party ended early for some revellers in England, with photos showing arrests after a suspected punch-up in Newcastle.
35
35
35
35
35
35
One man was led away in cuffs while flanked by cops, before he was bundled into a police van.
Another one was arrested and taken by officers in Blackpool.
Manchester city centre was heaving with Canal Street filled with revellers queueing outside venues looking glam.
And in Birmingham, although the annual fireworks at Central Square was cancelled huge crowds celebrated in the record-high 12C heat.
Elsewhere the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were snapped as they beamed in the back of a car.
It is believed they went to Kate’s family in West Berkshire to celebrate.
35
35
35
35
35
It comes a year after Brits were banned from kissing and Covid Tier restrictions dampened spirts across the UK.
Some parts of the world saw restricted celebrations due to Covid.
In India, millions celebrated at home amid night-time curfews, while Indonesia banned fireworks displays and large gatherings.
In Shanghai, China, events were cancelled and Beijing also banned public festivities.
But New Zealand and Australia, among the first to welcome the New Year, managed to put on their own stunning lights and fireworks displays.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
It comes as Whitehall sources say the PM is not expected to impose further restrictions when Plan B is reviewed next week but maintain the indoor mask-wearing, working from home advice and vaccine passports.
Boris Johnson said that vaccines were the best way of avoiding a fresh squeeze in a plea for unvaxxed Brits to get their shots.
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
New Year’s Eve revellers start the party early as they hit the pubs to ring in 2022
Topics