‘World-first’ Paddington Bear cameo appearance at London’s New Year fireworks spectacular thrills fans – but leaves many wondering about how it all worked and what was the cost

An enormous present of fireworks lit up Massive Ben despite storm warnings that compelled many shows to be axed right now, with many followers left shocked by a ‘world-first’ Paddington Bear cameo look throughout the London Eye.

The beloved bear’s look at London’s New Yr fireworks thrilled followers however left many questioning about the way it all labored and what the associated fee was.

This 12 months tens of millions watching at dwelling on the BBC had been handled to a world-first use of hologauze animations to have fun the brand new 12 months.

These created holographic illusions of British icons and memorable occasions because the fireworks had been going down.

The particular animations included the London Eye being full of the Union flag in honour of the eightieth anniversary of D-Day final 12 months, Olympic medals to have fun the success of Workforce GB on the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, and wishing a cheerful upcoming twenty fifth birthday to the London Eye.

It additionally featured the world-first particular look from Paddington Bear.

Hologauze is a specialised projection display screen designed to create holographic results. 

It is a patented gauze that’s coated with a extremely reflective silver metallic layer.

It additionally featured the world-first particular look from Paddington Bear

Fireworks mild up the sky across the London Eye to have fun the New Yr in London

The distinctive design permits the gauze to successfully mirror projected photos or animations whereas concurrently permitting the visibility of objects situated behind it. 

‘It doesn’t matter what occurs, London will at all times be a metropolis of hope and a house for everybody,’ Paddington Bear, voiced by Ben Whishaw, mentioned in a particular look in the course of the fireworks show.

Taking to X, one individual mentioned: ‘Simply takes seeing Paddington for 3 seconds and I burst into tears’.

‘The chokehold Paddington has on this nation is hilarious to me,’ one other added.

A 3rd posted: ‘You’ll be able to at all times depend on Paddington to start out the 12 months with hope and sincerity.’

However some had been confused as to the mechanics behind the show.

One mentioned: ‘Making an attempt to determine how they’re projecting stuff into the empty area in the course of the London Eye.’

It additionally featured a reference to Charli XCX’s viral ‘brat summer time’ which captured tens of millions of younger folks on social media in 2024. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, mentioned: ‘It is implausible to welcome 2025 with our greatest and best-ever New Yr’s Eve celebrations. Round 100,000 Londoners and guests joined collectively on the banks of the Thames for an unforgettable evening of fireworks, lighting and music, whereas tens of millions at dwelling had been capable of see our world-first use of hologram animations to have fun the brand new 12 months. 

Some had been confused as to the mechanics behind the show

Fireworks mild up the sky over the London Eye

London Eye in central London in the course of the New Yr celebration

‘From honouring the heroes of the D-Day landings to Paddington Bear celebrating our capital’s range, I am proud that we despatched a message of hope and like to the world, as we construct a greater London for everybody.’

The fireworks culminated in a golden extravaganza of sparkles illuminating the sky above London, with Paddington signing off the present by saying: ‘As you enter the brand new 12 months, at all times bear in mind […]: In London, everyone seems to be completely different, and which means anybody can slot in. Blissful New Yr.’ 

1000’s stood alongside the Embankment of the Thames to look at a spectacular fireworks show across the London Eye.

The annual showstopper noticed round 100,000 ticketholders unite on the banks of the River Thames to witness the capital’s biggest-ever celebration of fireworks, lighting and music, with many tens of millions watching from properties across the globe.

Greater than 12,000 fireworks and 420 lights lit up the sky across the London Eye because the eyes of the world watched London’s unforgettable present, set to a soundtrack of songs for folks to bounce the chilly away and voice-over clips.

The enduring celebration, which started with Massive Ben’s famend chimes, is proven stay to many tens of millions all over the world and tens of tens of millions extra on social media, boosting London’s financial system and offering an unbelievable world advert for our tourism business. 

LONDON: Fireworks explode within the sky across the London Eye and The Elizabeth Tower, generally recognized by the title of the clock’s bell, ‘Massive Ben’, on the Palace of Westminster, dwelling to the Homes of Parliament, in central London, at midnight

LONDON: Fireworks mild up the sky over Elizabeth Tower, also referred to as Massive Ben, and the London Eye in central London in the course of the New Yr celebrations

LONDON: Fireworks explode within the sky across the London Eye and The Elizabeth Tower, generally recognized by the title of the clock’s bell, ‘Massive Ben’, on the Palace of Westminster, dwelling to the Homes of Parliament, in central London, simply after midnight on January 1, 2025

Final 12 months, the BBC’s protection was essentially the most watched TV programme within the UK, with many tens of millions extra watching on the iPlayer and on-line.

Mayor Sadiq Khan promised that the fireworks could be the ‘finest we have ever laid on’, including that they had been the ‘greatest fireworks going down wherever throughout Europe’.  

Robin Goodchild, Senior Basic Supervisor of the London Eye, mentioned: ‘What an unbelievable second to herald the brand new 12 months and start celebrating 25 years of the world’s most iconic experience! 

‘We’re delighted and honoured to have been the official accomplice this 12 months, and as soon as once more be the long-lasting location to host The Mayor of London’s New Yr’s Eve fireworks. For all those that joined us right here onsite, and the tens of millions who watched on TV at dwelling with their family and friends each within the UK and globally, we want you all a really Blissful New Yr.’

Hannah Clark, Venture Director at Id, mentioned: ‘Id is so proud to as soon as once more be working in shut collaboration with the GLA, and main names throughout music manufacturing, lighting, and pyrotechnic design, to create this dazzling spectacle for London. 

‘The Mayor of London’s New Yr’s Eve firework celebrations have turn into an iconic and globally recognised occasion, reflecting our distinctive and splendidly vibrant metropolis. It is a distinctive showcase that places London firmly on the map for the 12 months forward.’