‘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 at this time, with many followers left surprised by a ‘world-first’ Paddington Bear cameo look inside 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 fee was.

This 12 months hundreds of thousands watching at residence on the BBC had been handled to a world-first use of hologauze animations to have a good time 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 stuffed with the Union flag in honour of the eightieth anniversary of D-Day final 12 months, Olympic medals to have a good time the success of Crew 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 designed to create holographic results. 

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

Fireworks mild up the sky across the London Eye to have a good time the New Yr in London

The distinctive design permits the gauze to successfully replicate projected photographs or animations whereas concurrently permitting the visibility of objects positioned behind it. 

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

Taking to X, one particular person stated: ‘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 possibly can all the time 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 stated: ‘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 season’ which captured hundreds of thousands of younger individuals on social media in 2024. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, stated: ‘It is improbable 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 night time of fireworks, lighting and music, whereas hundreds of thousands at residence had been capable of see our world-first use of hologram animations to have a good time 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 throughout the New Yr celebration

‘From honouring the heroes of the D-Day landings to Paddington Bear celebrating our capital’s variety, 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, all the time keep in mind […]: In London, everyone seems to be totally different, and which means anybody can slot in. Comfortable 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 hundreds of thousands 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 individuals to bop the chilly away and voice-over clips.

The enduring celebration, which started with Massive Ben’s famend chimes, is proven stay to many hundreds of thousands world wide and tens of hundreds of thousands 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 identified by the identify of the clock’s bell, ‘Massive Ben’, on the Palace of Westminster, residence 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 throughout the New Yr celebrations

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

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

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

Robin Goodchild, Senior Normal Supervisor of the London Eye, stated: ‘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 hundreds of thousands who watched on TV at residence with their family and friends each within the UK and globally, we want you all a really Comfortable New Yr.’

Hannah Clark, Mission Director at Identification, stated: ‘Identification 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.’