The London Parade 2026
Special | 3h 30m 18sVideo has Closed Captions
London's turn of year tradition, celebrating its 40th Anniversary, live, from the UK
London's New Year's Day Parade, a much cherished turn-of-year tradition, is marking a very special musical milestone, 40 fabulous years. The historic streets of London will be filled with pomp, circumstance and some terrific entertainment. Twenty US marching bands and hundreds of cheerleaders, join performers from numerous, to entertain hundreds of thousands of spectators on the streets.
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London's New Year's Day Parade is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television
The London Parade 2026
Special | 3h 30m 18sVideo has Closed Captions
London's New Year's Day Parade, a much cherished turn-of-year tradition, is marking a very special musical milestone, 40 fabulous years. The historic streets of London will be filled with pomp, circumstance and some terrific entertainment. Twenty US marching bands and hundreds of cheerleaders, join performers from numerous, to entertain hundreds of thousands of spectators on the streets.
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How to Watch London's New Year's Day Parade
London's New Year's Day Parade is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
>>> HELLO AND A VERY HAPPY FLU YEAR FROM LONDON.
I’M BOB BONE.
>> AND I’M DAISY.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, BOB.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AS WELL.
WE’RE HERE IN LONDON FOR THE 40th ANNIVERSARY PARADE, LONDON PARADE 2026 ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.
BEFORE WE GET INTO THIS YEAR’S EVENT, LET’S TAKE A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST THEGLOS 40 YEARS OF LONDON PARADES.
♪ ♪ IT’S TIME FOR THE LONDON PARADE.
LET’S COME TOGETHER, UNITED WE WILL STAND ♪ >> THAT WAS THE LAST 39 YEARS AND NOW WE’RE READY TO KICK OFF THE 40th ANNIVERSARY PARADE.
AND WHO BETTER TO START THE PARADE THIS YEAR THAN THE FOUNDING PATRON OF LONDON’S NEW YEAR’S DAY PARADE.
ROGER BROWN.
A MAN WITHOUT WHOM THERE WOULD BE NO LONDON PARADE.
ROGER IS JUST ABOUT TO CUT THE RIBBON AND SET THE WHOLE THING OFF IN 2026.
>> HERE WE GO.
THE OFFICIAL START SOUND.
>> AND THE FIRST BAND LEADING OFF THIS YEAR IS THE HICKORY RIDGE FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
>> HICKORY RIDGE BLUE REGIMENT.
A HIGH ENERGY MARCHING BAND.
>> THE LONDON PARADE ARCH THIS YEAR, NEW LOGO FOR THE EVENT, AS YOU CAN SEE, TO CELEBRATE OUR 40th YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
>> AND BACK HERE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN LONDON.
>> THE PARADE IS UNDERWAY WITH THE HICKORY RIDGE BAND, AS WE SAID.
THEY WILL BE MAKING THEIR WAY ALONG PICCADILLY.
THEY JUST SET OUT ON THE QUARTER MILE WALK DOWN TO PICCADILLY CIRCUS, AND PASSING LOTS OF ICONIC LANDMARKS BEFORE ARRIVING IN OUR FINALE AREA IN WESTMINSTER.
>> HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY LONDON PARADE.
IT’S A MAGNIFICENT ROUTE.
IT’S AN ICONIC ROUTE.
AS THEY REACH THE END OF PICCADILLY, THEY WILL COME TO FAMED PICCADILLY CIRCUS.
THE STATUE OF EROS, THEN THEY WILL HEAD DOWN REGENT JAMES.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BRING YOUR TAPE MEASURE THIS YEAR.
BUILT TO COMMEMORATE THE SECOND SON OF KING GEORGE, III, WHO ALSO INSPIRED THE TRADITIONAL NURSERY RIME, THE GRAND OLE DUKE OF YORK.
>> 10,000 MEN.
>> TO THE TOP OF THE HILL?
>> AND BACK DOWN AGAIN.
>> THERE WE GO.
AND FROM WATERLOO PLACE, WE’RE GOING TO GO TO CARRY ON INTO TRAFALGAR SQUARE.
THERE WE GO, THE MOST FAMOUS SAILOR EVER IN THE BRITISH HISTORY.
AND HE SITS TALL THERE ON HIS COLUMN IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE OVERLOOKING WHITEHALL, WHERE THE PARADE WILL THEN TURN, GO DOWN WHITEHALL.
WHITEHALL COMPLETE WITH ALL THE GRAND BUILDINGS OF STATE.
PAST DOWNING STREET, PAST OUR NATIONAL MONUMENT.
AND HERE INTO PERFORMANCE ARENA IN PARLIAMENT STREET IN THE SHADOW OF THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AND WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
AND THAT’S WHERE IT WILL ALL END EVENTUALLY HALF PAST 4:00 THIS AFTERNOON.
THERE’S A LOT TO HAPPEN BEFORE THAT.
>> THERE CERTAINLY IS.
THERE’S SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THESE PARTICIPANTS TO SEE AS THEY WALK ALONG THIS ROUTE.
AM I RIGHT, BOB?
YOU’RE SEEING THE BEST OF WHAT LONDON HAS TO GIVE TO THE WORLD.
>> NOW, WHAT WE ALWAYS HAVE IN THE PARADE.
WE HAVE A MARCHING BAND.
THAT IS HICKORY RIDGE, THAT IS SETTING DOWN THE PACE DOWN PICCADILLY AND WILL BE HERE IN 30 MINUTES.
THE MOST POPULAR BANDS THAT WE EVER HAVE IN THE EVENT, THE SHREE BAND.
THEY HAVE BEEN THRILLING CROWDS FOR MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS NOW.
WE’RE DELIGHTED THEY HAVE COME BACK ON OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY.
>> AND WE’RE GOING TO SEE SO MUCH COLOR.
SO MUCH SPARKLE.
SO MUCH CELEBRATION IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS.
AS ALL OF THESE ACTS COME DOWN TOWARDS US AND AS BOB SAID, FINISH RIGHT BEHIND OUR SHOULDERS HERE.
>> AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO HAVE A CEREMONIAL ASPECT TO OUR PARADE, HAVE WE NOT?
THERE WE SEE A SHOT OF ALL OF THE CIVIC MAYORS OF LONDON.
WE HAVE 32 IN LONDON, WELL, TWO CITIES AND 30 OTHER BOROUGHS.
32 SECTORS ALL TOGETHER.
WE INVITE ALL OF THE CIVIC MAYORS TO COME TO LONDON PARADE EVERY YEAR AND THEY LOVE COMING OUT AND MEETING THE CROWD FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THAT FLOCK INTO LONDON TO SEE THIS FANTASTIC EVENT.
AND THEN THE HEAD OF THE PARADE, WE HAVE OUR HORSE CARRIAGES, FOUR CARRIAGES.
THE LORD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER.
THE SECOND, THE VICE LORD IN GREATER LONDON.
THE THIRD ONE WILL BE CARRYING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LONDON MAYOR’S ASSOCIATION, AND THE LAST ONE, SENIOR PATRONS OF THE LONDON PARADE.
DUNCAN, STEVE SUMMERS, AND KATHERINE.
>> NOT A BAD WAY TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE STREETS OF LONDON.
>> SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE FOLLOWING THEM ARE KEY.
>> I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY.
>> MAKING THEIR WAY ALONG PICCADILLY.
HUGE CROWD OUT TODAY.
WE HAVE SOME LOVELY WEATHER HERE IN LONDON TODAY.
IT’S SUNNY AT TIMES.
NOT PARTICULARLY COLD FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.
ABOUT 7 OR 8 DEGREES CELSIUS, WHICH ISN’T TOO BAD.
THE WONDERFUL THING IS, WE HAVE NO RAIN.
THOSE OF YOU WHO TUNED IN LAST YEAR TO WATCH THE EVENT.
GREAT EVENT, IT WAS A BIT WET.
>> IT WAS A LITTLE WATER LOGGED AND WE’RE HAPPY TO BE DRY THIS YEAR, THAT’S FOR SURE.
>> WE HAVE AN ICONIC BRITISH VEHICLE COMING UP TO THE START OF THE PARADE NOW.
THESE ARE THE MINI MOKES THAT WERE THE ORIGINAL MINI FROM 1957.
AND WE HAVE A FLEET OF THOSE IN HERE.
THE FRONT ONE IS CARRYING MISS CHRISTMAS, DONNA MARIA, MISS CHRISTMAS, A CHARACTER, ENTERTAINER, WHO HAS BEEN PART OF LONDON PARADE SINCE SHE SHOWED UP IN THE FIRST LONDON PARADE IN 1987.
UNEXPECTEDLY.
>> SELF-CAST.
>> EXACTLY.
>> WE ARE EXPECTING HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ALONG THE ROUTE HERE IN LONDON, AREN’T WE, BOB?
>> I THINK WE’RE EXPECTING A CROWD AROUND HALF A MILLION.
MAYBE A LITTLE MORE, BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS SO FAVORABLE.
IT’S A LOVELY DAY TO BE OUT.
SO, YEAH, OF COURSE, WE HAVE FANTASTIC ACTS COMING UP IN THE PARADE.
HEADLINER, SAM RYDER, HEATHER SMALL.
WONDERFUL TRIBUTE ACTS FROM ELTON JOHN, THE SPICE GIRLS.
>> GEORGE MICHAEL, WE HAVE ALL KINDS, YEAH.
>> IT’S A TRIBUTE TO 40 YEARS OF THE PARADE, SO TRIBUTE ACTS WERE AN EXTREMELY GOOD IDEA.
>> FEELS APPROPRIATE.
>> DONNA MARIA, AND BEHIND DONNA MARIA, WE HAVE THE REIGNING MISS GREAT BRITAIN.
WELL, MORE OF THE PARADE IS SETTING OFF DOWN THE PARADE ROUTE.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF THINGS TAKING PLACE HERE IN THE ARENA TO KEEP THE CROWD ENTERTAINED BEFORE THE FIRST BAND GETS HERE.
ONE OF THE ACTS WE HAVE IN THE ARENA IS THE ENTITLED SUNS WHO ARE MAKING A LOT OF WAVES AT THE MOMENT WITH THEIR GREAT MUSIC.
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THEM.
>> ENJOY.
>> EVERYONE IS FEELING A LITTLE BIT ANXIOUS TODAY.
2026 IS GOING TO BE YOUR YEAR.
♪ THIS IS FROM ONE OF OUR GENTLE LOVE SONGS.
♪ ♪ >> WE SEE THE HICKORY BRIDGE REGIMENT, MAKING THAT WONDERFUL TURN AROUND PICCADILLY CIRCUS.
LILLY WHITE STORE IN THE BACKGROUND, YOU CAN SEE THE EROS STATUE, BECAUSE IT IS TO PROTECTED FROM ALL THE REVELRY THAT GOES ON UP THERE.
IT’S A FOCAL POINT OF C CELEBRATION.
THEY COME DOWN THE STREET THAT I ALWAYS USED TO KNOW WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.
NOW IT’S CALLED REGENT STREET ST.
JAMES.
WHICH IS GRAND.
>> IT DOES SOUND GRAND.
WHAT AN HONOR TO KICK OFF THE PARADE THIS WAY.
WHAT A THRILL FOR THIS INCREDIBLE BAND FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM AS THEY KICK OFF THE 40th ANNIVERSARY LONDON PARADE.
>> THEY ARE AN EXTREMELY GOOD BAND.
THEY TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD AND PERFORMED IN NUMEROUS LOCATIONS FOR OUR ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS OTHERS.
AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS VERY FITTING THAT THEY SHOULD BE THE PEOPLE TO LEAD OFF THE 40th ANNIVERSARY PARADE.
>> COULDN’T AGREE MORE.
GO BULLS.
>> THEN WE GET ANOTHER GLIMPSE OF OUR LONDON MAYORS.
WE’LL HAVE A CONTRADICTORY MAYOR.
SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T LOOK LIKE A LONDON MAYOR JOINING US IN THE STUDIO IN A MOMENT.
JUST AS SPLENDID AS OUR LONDON MAYORS, THE MAYOR WE’LL MEET IN A MINUTE IS LOOKING VERY GLORIOUS IN A BRIGHT RED SWEATSHIRT WITH HER BAND LOGO ACROSS IT.
WE’LL COME TO THAT IN A MOMENT.
WE’RE NOW HAVING A LOOK AT WONDERFULLY EXOTIC DANCERS WHICH ARE FROM THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER.
WE’LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BOROUGH ENTRIES IN JUST AWHILE.
>> I DON’T THINK WE’RE GOING TO GET MANY MORE COLORFUL COSTUMES THAN THE ONES WE’RE SEEING HERE.
FANTASTIC.
>> OKAY.
JUST FINISHED PERFORMING IN THE ARENA AND I THINK WE’RE GOING TO MOVE BACK OVER TO THEM AND MAYBE THEY WILL PLAY ANOTHER NUMBER OR WE’RE GOING HEAR FROM THEM RIGHT NOW.
THERE WE HAVE THE BAND AGAIN.
ALWAYS DELIGHTING THE CROWDS.
MAKING THEIR WAY PAST THE DILLY HOTEL ON PICCADILLY.
MAKING THAT GREAT TURN THAT WE SAW JUST NOW, THE HICKORY RIDGE BAND.
>> JUST LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFULLY MAJESTIC THEY LOOK WALKING DOWN TOWARDS US.
INCREDIBLE.
♪ >> DEVOTION THROUGH THE CLASSICAL ARTS, SINGING, DANCING, SCULPTURE, ANYTHING ARTISTIC, THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR HANDS AND EFFORTS INTO.
♪ >> WE’LL GET TO HEAR THEM PLAYING AS WELL AS JUST SEEING THEM UP THERE ONCE THEY GET DOWN HERE INTO THE ARENA.
YOU’LL SEE WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT.
THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY SUPERB, AND THEY LOOK GLORIOUS.
>> SPECTACULAR.
>> HICKORY RIDGE, I HOPE THEY ARE MAKING THEIR PACE.
I THINK THEY ARE.
THEY ARE GOING TO BE HERE ON THE DOT OF 1:32.
YOU SEE, I’M CAUGHT UP ABOUT THE CHANGING TIME.
>> IT IS ONLY 39 YEARS AT THE SAME TIME, BOB, MY GOODNESS, HOW COULD YOU HAVE THAT SORT OF MUSCLE MEMORY?
>> THEY ARE NOW AT THE BOTTOM WHERE WE WERE EARLIER THIS MORNING DOING LOTS AND LOTS OF BROADCAST FOR BBC BREAKFAST, GIVING THEM A PREVIEW OF SOME OF THE THINGS ON THE SHOW TODAY.
THEY ARE MAKING THAT TURN INTO WATERLOO PLACE, AND BEFORE LONG, THOSE BAND STUDENTS WILL BE LOOKING AT NELSON HIGH ON HIS COLUMN BEFORE TURNING INTO WHITEHALL AND COMING TO JOIN US HERE IN THE PERFORMANCE ARENA.
ANOTHER SHOT OF THOSE ICONIC MINI MOKES.
THAT MAYOR I WAS TALKING ABOUT, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO THE MAYOR FROM JONESBORO FROM GEORGIA WITH US.
THE REASON YOU’RE WITH US, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BROUGHT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL BAND GROUP WITH YOU.
THEY HAVE COME ALONG TO THIS WONDERFUL EVENT THIS YEAR.
I SAW THE GROUP, ACTUALLY, THE OTHER DAY.
THEY ARE FANTASTIC.
WHAT I WANTED TO ASK YOU IS, WHAT YOUR GROUP MEANS TO YOUR COMMUNITY IN GEORGIA.
>> IT MEANS EVERYTHING.
OUR COMMUNITY BROUGHT OUR BAND HERE.
WE WERE SO HONORED LAST YEAR.
I WAS THERE WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD BE A PART OF THIS AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY RALLIED BEHIND THEM TO MAKE SURE WE GET EVERY BAND MEMBER HERE.
SO, HUGE SHOUTOUT TO THE SPONSORS, DONORS, OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS TO MAKING SURE OUR KIDS COULD GET HERE.
WE WELCOMED THE NEW YEAR IN WITH THEM LAST YEAR AND THEY HAVE ENJOYED THEIR VISIT SO FAR, AND TODAY IS GOING TO CULMINATE THE EXCITEMENT FOR THEM.
>> THAT’S FANTASTIC.
IT’S AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK FOR THEM TO GET HERE?
>> IT IS AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK.
THE PARENTS, FUNDRAISING.
THE KIDS HAVE TO MAKE EXCELLENT GRADES AT SCHOOL.
SO, EVERYONE IS PULLING TOGETHER UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, SOME OF THESE KIDS HAVE NEVER BEEN ON A PLANE.
WE HAVE TO GET PASSPORTS, THERE’S A WHOLE LOT OF WORK THAT GOES BEHIND IT.
WE ALL CHIP IN.
ELECTED OFFICIALS, PRINCIPAL, THE SCHOOL BOARD, COMMUNITY BUSINESSES CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING SURE THE KIDS CAN GET HERE.
>> THE FUNDRAISING MIGHT BE QUITE A CHALLENGE.
>> IT IS EXTENSIVE.
IT IS VERY EXTENSIVE.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, I’M PROBABLY SURE THAT THE FIRST TIME OUR DISTRICT HAS SENT A BOND AFTERSEAS.
IF YOU CAN IMAGINE, SHIPPING THE INSTRUMENTS OVER HERE.
AND ONCE THEY GET HERE, WE WANT THEM TO EXPERIENCE LONDON BEYOND THE PARADE.
MAKING SURE THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CULTURE.
WE PUT TOGETHER A GOOD PACKAGE FOR THEM.
A SHOUTOUT TO OUR BAND DIRECTOR, WHO WORKS REALLY HARD FOR THE CHILDREN TO HAVE THESE EXPERIENCES AS WELL AS THE PARENTS.
>> SO, HAS IT ALL BEEN WORTH IT?
>> EVERY SECOND AND I AM SO EXCITED.
I BROUGHT MY ENTIRE TEAM.
OUR POLICE CHIEF, HIS WIFE.
WE HAVE A WHOLE DELEGATION OF PARENTS.
IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE KIDS CAME, BUT ALSO THAT THE PARENTS COULD COME.
YOU’LL HEAR A LOT OF SCREAMING WHEN THEY CROSS BY.
WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD AND WE WERE WITH THEM AT COVENANT GARDENS AND THEY WERE RECEIVED SO WELL BY THE COMMUNITY.
>> WE’RE SO PLEASED YOU CAME TO SUPPORT THEM.
THAT’S REALLY WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.
BAND IN AMERICA IS COMMUNITY, IS IT NOT?
>> BAND IN LONDON IS VERY COMMUNITY.
THAT’S ALL WE FELT SINCE WE TOUCHED DOWN.
>> THAT’S FANTASTIC.
DONNA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> WATCH OUT FOR THE MARCHING CART.
>> WE CERTAINLY WILL.
THANK YOU.
>> BYE.
>> WE HAVE OUR FIRST OF OUR BALLOONS THERE.
>> WE CERTAINLY DO, WE’LL BE SEEING MORE OF THOSE, AREN’T WE?
AS THE DAY GOES ON.
>> WE HAVE GIANT CHARACTER ONES COMING UP BEFORE TOO LONG.
YEAH.
THIS LOOKS LIKE -- NOT LOOKS LIKE, IT IS, THE WESTMINSTER ENTRY.
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WESTMINSTER IS MY BOROUGH, SO YAY WESTMINSTER.
>> I THINK YOU MEAN YOUR CITY.
>> MY CITY, AND ABSOLUTELY I DO.
WE HAVE A HOUSE DOWN THE ROAD.
DON’T LET THE ACCENT FOOL YOU, I AM HALF BRITISH.
>> OKAY.
>> OF COURSE, WESTMINSTER.
>> THERE’S THE FIRST OF OUR CHARACTER BALLOONS THERE.
AND RIGHT NOW THOUGH, WE HAVE MORE ENTERTAINMENT IN OUR ARENA HERE.
KEEPING PEOPLE WARM AND HAPPY BEFORE THE BIG THING KICKS OFF.
AND IT IS VERONICA VERSARO.
LET’S TAKE A LISTEN.
>> HOW IS SERVE DOING?
ARE WE OKAY?
IT’S MY BIG PLEASURE THAT I GET TO BE HERE TODAY.
WE FLEW IN FROM SWITZERLAND.
COLD SWITZERLAND.
NOT AS COLD AS HERE THOUGH.
THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME ON THIS 40th EDITION OF THE LONDON PARADE.
MY NAME IS VERONICA AND I HAVE ONE MORE SONG FOR YOU.
I WISH YOU A HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> CAN I SEE EVERYBODY’S HANDS?
♪ >> NOW COMING THROUGH THE ARKANSAS, STARTING THE PARADE, WE HAVE THE APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING CATS.
THIS IS QUITE A REMARKABLE BAND, I’LL BE TELLING YOU MORE ABOUT THEM LATER ON.
LET’S SEE THEM MEANDER.
RIGHT NOW, A FABULOUS GUEST WANDERED INTO THE STUDIO.
MET YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS MORNING.
THIS IS ADAM LYONS.
WELL KNOWN CHOREOGRAPHER.
YOU ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING, WE SHOULDN’T LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG?
>> I COME WITH A LOT OF SURPRISES.
THERE’S A LOT MORE.
SO, NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
I’M READY TO GIVE YOU A SHOW.
>> CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT?
>> WE STARTED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS JUST VERY ORGANIC, AUTHENTIC, AND TOOK THE WEB BY STORM.
I THINK 100 MILLION VIEWS.
AND THEN SINCE THEN, STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, A LOT OF VIRAL MOMENTS.
WE POP UP AROUND THE CITY OF LONDON.
LIKE YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, IT’S ABOUT BRINGING A LIFE TO THE CITY.
THAT’S WHAT WE’RE ALL ABOUT.
WE LIKE TO SPREAD JOY, BRING ENERGY, AND SHOW LONDON IN ITS BEST LIGHT POSSIBLE.
>> HERE YOU ARE, PROMOTING LONDON.
TELLING US WHAT A WONDERFUL LONDON IS.
THAT’S NOT A LONDON ACCENT.
>> NO, I AM FROM LIVERPOOL, OF COURSE.
>> SECOND CITY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> 16 YEARS AGO, I MOVED AND I WENT TO THEATER SCHOOL BEFORE I WENT TO FINANCE SCHOOL.
BUT I FELL IN LOVE WITH LONDON.
I CAME DOWN WITH MY MOM AND WE WENT TO SEE SHOWS AND WE WALKED AROUND AND SAW ALL THE SIGHTS.
I WAS FASCINATED.
I SAID I’M GOING TO LIVE IN LONDON AND HERE I AM.
I FEEL HONORED TO BE PERFORMING HERE TODAY.
>> WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
I THINK IT WILL BE A SHOCK FOR THE CROWD, DON’T YOU?
>> IT WILL BE AN ABSOLUTE SHOCK.
IT WILL BE A SHOCK WITH THE COLD.
IT’S VERY ENERGETIC.
YOU MIGHT SEE SOME BREATH.
>> YOU GOT IT EASY THIS YEAR.
YOU COULD HAVE BEEN HERE LAST YEAR.
BY NOW, YOU WOULD BE SOAKING WET.
>> IT’S BEEN A LOVELY DAY SO FAR.
THE SUN WAS SHINING THIS MORNING AND STILL CLEAR.
IT WILL BE GREAT.
>> DAISY, HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THESE GUYS?
>> ONLY WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM REPUTATION, BECAUSE OF BEING INVOLVED WITH THE PARADE.
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE GOING ON.
I WILL DEFINITELY BE LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER.
>> YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THAT VIDEO?
>> 100 MILLION.
YES, HONESTLY, THE STATISTICS BLOW MY MIND, BUT IT CONTINUES TO GROW FROM THERE.
THAT WAS MINE IN FINANCE.
WE DO A LOT OF K-POP SONGS.
LADY GAGA, SOME YOU MIGHT SEE TODAY.
THEY SEEM TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD AS WELL.
>> THROW IN K-POP THIS AFTERNOON, MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS GOING TO THINK YOU’RE THE GREATEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD.
>> THAT’S THE GOAL.
>> ANYWAY, ADAM, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU LATER ON.
HALF WAY THROUGH THE PARADE?
>> LOOK OUT FOR US, AND PLEASE MAKE SOME NOISE.
>> OH, I GUARANTEE THEY WILL BE MAKING NOISE.
THANK YOU.
YOU’LL BE FANTASTIC.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> AND NOW WE HAVE OUR BIG BALLOON THERE COMING DOWN PICCADILLY.
THAT’S OUR GUARDSMAN BALLOON.
THE LONDON PARADE GUARDSMAN.
ALL OF THE BALLOONS ARE TRADITIONAL LONDON CHARACTERS.
WE HAVE A CLEARLEADER BALLOON, THAT’S NOT VERY LONDON.
>> ACTUALLY, IT’S VERY LONDON ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.
>> THAT’S TRUE.
>> IT’S VERY LONDON ON NEW YEAR’S DAY, AND THE GUARDSMAN IS AN ICONIC LONDON FIGURE, ISN’T IT?
THE BIG BUSBY.
>> THERE HE IS, AROUND THAT BEND.
LOOK AT THE CROWDS UP ON PICCADILLY CIRCUS.
YOU CAN SEE AROUND IT.
THAT’S THE FAMOUS STATUE OF EROS, WHICH IS THE TRADEMARK OF LONDON’S WEST END, REALLY, AT THE FOOT OF THE THEATERS.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM.
AND THERE WE SEE THE WESTMINSTER, BOROUGH ENTRY, OR CITY ENTRY.
>> YOU WERE RIGHT TO DO SO.
>> AND I DON’T THINK IT WILL BE TOO LONG BEFORE WE GET OUR VERY, VERY FIRST BAND INTO THE ARENA.
BUT, ANYWAY.
THAT’S ENOUGH OF US, DAISY, GOING ON AND ON.
I’M SURE PEOPLE HAVE HEARD ENOUGH OF US, WE HAVE THREE HOURS TO GO.
LET’S GO -- LET’S GO OVER TO JOE WHO IS NEAR THE START.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE FOR US, BUT IT WILL BE FUN.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR, JOE.
>> WE ARE BACK AT THE LONDON PARADE AND IT IS FEELING AMAZING, ISN’T IT?
>> THE ENERGY, I TELL YOU WHAT.
I HAD TO WAIT 364 DAYS FOR THIS.
>> WE HAVE ALL THE STORM TROOPERS.
>> QUESTION DO.
AND WHO DO WE HAVE BEHIND US?
>> WE HAVE MORE RIGHT BEHIND US AS WELL.
>> IT WILL BE INCREDIBLE.
>> THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO.
SO MUCH TO SEE.
I CAN’T WAIT.
>> I CAN’T WAIT.
SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND US AS WELL.
COME BACK TO US VERY SOON.
>> THANKS EVER SO MUCH, JOE AND SWAZEY.
OUT THERE ON THE PARADE ROUTE, BUMPING INTO ALL OF THE PERFORMERS, HAVING LITTLE CHATS WITH THEM FROM TIME TO TIME, AND PROBABLY WE’LL HEAR SOME VERY FUNNY THINGS FROM THEM.
WE’LL BE GOING BACK TO THEM OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.
YOU’RE JUST SEEING THE FIRST OF OUR LONDON PARADE MOBILE STAGE.
THEY ARE GOING ALONG, AND THAT WILL BE CARRYING HEATHER SMALL, ONE OF OUR HEADLINERS IN THIS YEAR’S EVENT.
NOW WE’RE GOING TO SEE, GET A GLIMPSE OF THE -- OH, I THINK THAT’S THE EVANS HIGH SCHOOL BAND -- HICKORY RIDGE.
OF COURSE IT’S HICKORY RIDGE MAKING THEIR WAY DOWN HERE, DOWN WHITEHALL NOW.
SHORTLY GOING TO BE WITH US IN THE FINALE ARENA, GIVING A VERY SPECIAL TWO MINUTE FINALE PERFORMANCE AT THE CONCLUSION OF THEIR PARADE ROUTE.
>> THEY TAKE THEIR MUSIC VERY SERIOUSLY AT HICKORY RIDGE.
THEY HAVE MANY MUSIC RELATED CAREERS FROM THEIR GRADUATES WHO THEN COME BACK AND HELP THE KIDS AS WELL.
IT REALLY IS A FAMILY FEELING, WHICH IS ALL -- THAT’S PART OF THE THEME FOR TODAY, ISN’T IT?
AND INDEED EVERY NEW YEAR’S DAY WITH LONDON PARADE.
>> IT’S ALL ABOUT FAMILY.
THAT’S WHY THE PARADE BEGAN, REALLY, BECAUSE NEW YEAR’S EVE IS A THING FOR ADULTS.
IT’S A THING FOR GROWN UP PEOPLE TO DO ALL SORTS OF THINGS, I DON’T KNOW, THEY SHOULDN’T DO.
BUT NEVER MIND.
>> OH, THEY SHOULD.
>> THEY SHOULD ENJOY THEMSELVES, OF COURSE THEY SHOULD.
IF YOU CAN’T ENJOY YOURSELF ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, IT’S NOT FOR FAMILIES, IT’S NOT FOR KIDS.
IT’S NOT FOR CHILDREN.
I DON’T WANT MY GRANDKIDS OUT ON THE 31st OF DECEMBER, THAT’S FOR SURE.
THAT’S WHY LONDON PARADE WAS INVENTED.
IT’S A FAMILY THING.
ALL GENERATIONS ARE WELCOME.
AND THAT IS OUR AUDIENCE.
THAT IS WHO COMES OUT AND THEY ALL FIND SOMETHING TO REALLY, REALLY ENJOY.
TAKING A GOOD LOOK AT THE WALTON HIGH SCHOOL BAND FROM WALTON, GEORGIA.
WHICH IS A SUBURB OF ATLANTA.
AND THEY WILL BE DOWN HERE IN OUR ARENA PERFORMING FOR US BEFORE TOO LONG.
>> THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE ROUTE, THE SPECTATORS WILL BE WAVING.
THEY WILL BE CHEERING.
THEY MIGHT SEE A FAMILY MEMBER OR A FRIEND AS THEY ARE WALKING ALONG, AND IT REALLY IS AN EXPERIENCE IN AND OF ITSELF, JUST TO BE ON THE ROUTE.
AND YOU CAN FEEL THAT ENERGY, EVEN WITH JOE.
THEY GET SWEPT UP IN IT.
>> OH YEAH, THAT WAS MILD, WHAT WE’VE SEEN SO FAR.
YOU WAIT UNTIL THEY REALLY GET GOING.
YEAH.
>> HERE WE HAVE IT THEN.
WE HAVE OUR VERY FIRST BAND HAS REACHED THE PERFORMANCE ARENA HERE.
IN PARLIAMENT STREET, IN THE SHADOW OF BIG BEN AND THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
AND THIS IS THE HICKORY RIDGE BLUE REGIMENT FROM NEW JERSEY, FROM HARRISBURG, NORTH CAROLINA.
>> WHAT A THRILL.
THEY’RE GOING TO BE PLAYING FOR US, GOLDEN.
AND THEY ARE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CHRIS WHITE AND DAVID RIVERA.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> THERE THEY GO.
HICKORY RIDGE BLUE REGIMENT, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CHRIS WHITE AND DAVID RIVERA.
MARCHING ALL THE WAY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
A HIGH ENERGY MARCHING BAND, AND THEY CERTAINLY ARE THERE.
A POWERFUL SOUND AND PRECISION MARCHING AND UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCES.
NOW, YOU ARE GETTING A QUICK GLIMPSE OF THAT GROUP THAT THE MAYOR IS BRINGING US, WITH THE HELP OF LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE, OF COURSE.
THE JONESBORO MAJESTIC MARCHING CARDINALS.
THIS GROUP IS SOMETHING ELSE.
THEY DEFINITELY ARE.
AS I SAID BEFORE, I SAW THEM GIVING A PREVIEW SHOW ON TUESDAY AND THEY BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN.
WELL, AT LEAST ALL THE BUILDINGS ARE STILL THERE, BUT YOU KNOW THE EXPRESSION.
AND THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT.
BUT, BEFORE WE GET TO THEM, LET’S TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THESE LOVELY HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES.
THIS ONE, THE FIRST ONE, OH, THAT’S THE SECOND ONE.
THAT IS CARRYING THE VICE OF GRACE OF LONDON.
AND THERE’S THE FIRST CARRIAGE WITH STEVEN, THE LORD MAYOR, THIS YEAR SERVING AS LORD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER.
IN THE OTHER CARRIAGES THERE, YOU MIGHT HAVE CAUGHT A QUICK GLIMPSE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF LONDON MAYOR ASSOCIATION.
AND THERE WAS A FURTHER CARRIAGE, BUT I DIDN’T SEE IT, CONTAIN THE SENIOR PATRONS OF LONDON’S NEW YEAR’S DAY PARADE.
NOW WE’RE GOING BACK UP THE ROUTE TO PICCADILLY AND SEEING MORE AND MORE AND MORE OF THE SPECTACULAR ACTS BEGINNING TO EMERGE THROUGH THE ARCH AND MAKE THEIR WAY ALONG PICCADILLY.
WE’LL BE SEEING THESE ACTS ALONG THE WAY AS THEY MEANDER THROUGH THE ROUTE THAT WE DESCRIBED TO YOU A WHILE BACK.
ANYWAY, WE DID HAVE A GOOD LOOK AT THAT GROUP, THE PIPE BAND.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE DONKEYS.
BACK TO SHREE MUKTAJEEVAN.
THEY WANTED TO GIVE US A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
SO HERE THEY ARE.
SHREE MUKTAJEEVAN.
>> HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY TO THE LONDON PARADE.
♪ ♪ >> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SHREE MUKTAJEEVAN PIPE BAND.
THEY WILL BE JOINING US IN THE ARENA IN A FEW MINUTES.
OH MY GOODNESS, HOW DID THAT DINOSAUR GET IN HERE?
DINOSAURS HAVE BEEN A FEATURE OF THIS PARADE FOR A LONG TIME.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I THINK IT’S BECAUSE EVERYTHING BIG AND GRAND COMES TO LONDON ON NEW YEAR’S DAY, BOB.
I THINK THAT’S WHAT IT IS.
>> THAT’S WHAT IT MUST BE.
WE HAVE AN ANIMATRONIC DINOSAUR.
>> CAN YOU SAY IT WAS A LITTLE DINOSAUR?
DOES THAT WORK?
>> ANYWAY, HERE’S THE SHREE MUKTAJEEVAN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
WE ALL APPRECIATE IT HERE AT LONDON PARADE.
HERE YOU ARE, COMING INTO THE ARENA FOR REAL, GIVING YOU SPLENDID PIPE AND DRUM RENDITIONS AS EVER.
>> WE CAN HEAR THEM OVER OUR SHOULDERS NOW.
I CAN FEEL THE DRUM BEAT.
♪ >> OF COURSE, THEY ARE PLAYING THE MOST APPROPRIATE SONG FOR THE TIME OF YEAR.
>> THEY CERTAINLY ARE.
♪ ♪ >> WHAT A WONDERFUL SOUND THAT IS, BOB.
>> YOU KNOW, I USED TO SAY THE BEST SOUND OF THE PIPES IS AS IT DISAPPEARS OVER THE HILLS.
I CHANGED MY MIND COMPLETELY HAVING HEARD SHREE MUKTAJEEVAN.
IT’S A WONDERFUL SOUND.
THE DRUMS, IT GETS YOU GOING.
>> HERE WE HAVE IS THE WALTON GROUP COMING UNDER THE ARCH.
THEY NOW MADE THEIR WAY ALL THE WAY UP PICCADILLY TO PICCADILLY CIRCUS.
I HOPE THE PEOPLE AT THE BACK OF THOSE CROWDS CAN SEE WHAT’S GOING ON.
ONE THING I KNOW FOR SURE, THEY CAN DEFINITELY HEAR IT, BECAUSE THE NOISE IS GOING TO BE FANTASTIC.
EDWARDSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY COME FROM EDWARDSVILLE IN ILLINOIS, WHICH IS NEAR ST.
LOUIS.
DAISY, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CORRECT ME ON THAT?
>> WELL, I THINK IT’S ST.
LOUIS.
BUT THERE WILL BE PEOPLE DOWN THERE THAT WILL CALL IT ST.
LOUIS.
IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE, IS IT NEW ORLEANS OR NEW ORLEANS?
I WOULD SAY NEW ORLEANS.
BUT YOU KNOW.
DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE.
>> OKAY.
NOBODY IS WRONG.
THAT’S THE GOOD THING.
>> EVERYONE IS RIGHT, EXACTLY.
I’M WONDERING WHAT JOE AND SWARZEY ARE UP TO.
>> LET’S TAKE A LOOK.
>> WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE LONDON PARADE.
IT WOULDN’T BE A LONDON PARADE WITHOUT SAM IN THE HOUSE.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
HOW IS IT GOING?
I’M LOVING THE ENTHUSIASM.
>> IT’S A BIT CHILLY, ISN’T IT?
BUT IT’S NOT RAINING.
SO WE BRING THAT ENERGY TO WARM OURSELVES UP AND WARM THE CROWDS UP, AND SPEAKING OF CROWDS, IT’S LOOKING PRETTY BUSY.
ARE YOU EXCITED?
>> A HALF MILLION PEOPLE ARE TURNING UP TO SEE THIS THING.
HONESTLY, I’M STOKED.
ALL MY POWERS ARE BUZZING ABOUT THIS PARADE.
A PARADE OF PEOPLE, AND I’M JUST THANKFUL.
>> YOU FLOWN OVER TO NASHVILLE.
WHAT IS NASHVILLE SAYING?
>> NASHVILLE IS AMAZING.
IT’S PRETTY COLD THERE AT THE MOMENT AS WELL.
I’VE JUST DONE BASICALLY A SANDWICH TOUR OF NASHVILLE.
NOTHING TO DO WITH MUSIC.
I’VE BEEN GETTING UP AND MY ROUTINE, GO TO THE GYM, BECAUSE YOU NEED TO.
AND DRESS UP, GO TO THIS PLACE, MITCHELLS, AND GO FOR THE ENTIRE MENU, ONE BY ONE, FOR THE ENTIRE 14 DAYS I WAS THERE.
SMASHED THIS MENU OF SANDWICHES.
>> THAT’S GOOD.
>> >> I HATE TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM THE SANDWICHES.
YOU HAVE A PARADE COMING UP.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PARADE ITSELF?
>> I DON’T WANT TO GIVE ANYTHING AWAY.
I HEARD SOME OF THE ACTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE THERE.
8,000 DIFFERENT ACTS.
HOW MANY E-MAILS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT.
BUT YEAH, I HEARD SOME OF THE SURPRISES.
I’M EXCITED TO SEE IT.
I DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH I’M GOING TO SEE FROM MY LITTLE FLOAT.
I’M EXCITED.
>> THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE’RE EXCITED FOR.
WE ARE SO BUZZING.
>> WE’RE SO EXCITED.
I KNOW EVERYONE ON THE STREET IS EXCITED AND THOSE WATCHING AT HOME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
GOD BLESS.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> SUPER EXCITED ABOUT SEEING SAM LATER ON.
I THINK HE’S COMING TOWARD THE END OF THE PARADE.
IT WILL BE FANTASTIC.
HE’S ALREADY GETTING READY FOR HIS PART.
JUST BY THE LOOKS OF IT.
>> HE MADE ME VERY HUNGRY WITH ALL OF THE SANDWICH TALK.
>> ANYWAY, OH LOOK, THERE’S OUR BOOGIE STORM.
THIS IS A FANTASTIC ACT.
I HAPPEN TO KNOW, WELL, I THINK THERE WILL BE SOMETHING EXTRA AND SPECIAL, WHICH IS THE MONKEYS.
WHEN THEY GET INTO HERE, WE’LL SEE HOW GOOD THEY ARE.
>> BIG CROWD PLEASERS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
WELL ANY MINUTE NOW, I’M HOPING INTO THE ARENA, WE’RE GOING TO BE GETTING THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER.
WE CAN TELL PEOPLE WHAT THE BURROUGH COMPETITION IS ALL ABOUT.
NEARLY REACHED THE BOTTOM OF ROW GENT REGENT JAMES.
>> AS YOU CAN SEE, THE CROWDS ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE DEEP.
I MEAN, THAT’S AT LEAST A DOZEN PEOPLE DEEP.
I THINK THERE WILL BE A LOT OF CHILDREN ON DADDY’S SHOULDERS THIS MORNING.
>> I THINK THERE WILL, ABSOLUTELY.
BUT I JUST HAD A QUICK SHOT THERE OF TRAFALGAR SQUARE.
I WOULD LOVE TO BE THERE, SORT OF, BUT I HAVE A BETTER SEAT.
>> WE HAVE THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE.
WE REALLY DO.
>> YES, TERRIFIC CROWDS.
IT’S AMAZING WHAT WEATHER DOES FOR YOU.
I MUST SAY, IT WAS PRETTY HORRIBLE WEATHER.
>> THE WEATHER WAS HORRIBLE, BUT THE ATMOSPHERE WAS FULL OF SUNSHINE.
>> THE ATMOSPHERE WAS AS GOOD AS EVER.
I THINK THAT’S BECAUSE PEOPLE SHOW WHAT THE PERFORMERS WERE PUTTING INTO IT.
LOOK AT THAT NOW.
>> LOOK AT THAT.
AND YOU KNOW, THE CROWD REALLY DOES PLAY SUCH A BIG PART, AS YOU SAY, LAST YEAR, ALL OF THE KIDS WALKING THROUGH, SOAKED TO THE BONE.
BUT THE CROWD WAVING AND CHEERING AND WISHING THEM EVERY SUCCESS AS THEY WALK THROUGH AND THE CROWD IS LITERALLY A PERFORMER ALMOST IN THE PARADE.
>> JUST AS IMPORTANT.
THEY ARE THRILLED.
MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.
>> I THINK THEY ARE THRILLED, BOB.
>> I THINK WE’RE GOING TO BE HAVING OUR NEXT PIECE OF MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT INTO THE ARENA VERY, VERY SOON NOW.
I’M FAIRLY SURE THAT THE EVANS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND WILL BE JOINING US IN HERE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.
ONCE THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER HAS COMPLETED IT PASS THROUGH.
NOW WHAT IS THE ENTRY ALL ABOUT THIS YEAR?
>> WELL, THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER THIS YEAR IS WESTMINSTER AVENUE PRESENTS.
WE’VE GOT OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS.
OF COURSE, THEY HAVE THE OPEN BUS.
BUT WESTMINSTER, OF COURSE, SO FAMOUS FOR THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, FOR BIG BEN.
IT’S PART OF THE ICONIC VISTA OF LONDON.
THE PEOPLE IMAGINE.
AND LOOK, THEY HAVE REALLY GONE ALL OUT AND SAID WE ARE NOT JUST ABOUT THESE ICONIC BUILDINGS.
LOOK WHAT WE CAN DO DOWN ON THE GROUND AS WELL.
YOU CAN SEE THEM WALKING PAST US NOW.
IT IS INCREDIBLELY IMPRESSIVE.
AS YOU SAY, THERE IS A BOROUGH COMPETITION.
TELL US ABOUT THAT.
>> OVER THE YEAR, THE BOROUGH COMPETITION RAISED NEARLY 3 MILLION-POUNDS FOR LOCAL LONDON CHARITIES.
THAT’S AN IMPORTANT PART OF IT T. LOCAL LONDON CHARITIES THAT BENEFIT FROM THE VARIOUS BOROUGHS MAKE OUT ON PARADE.
THEY ARE JUDGED BY PEOPLE’S JUDGES, WHO HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE BOROUGHS AND HEFTY PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS EVERY YEAR.
THE FIRST PRIZE IS ALWAYS ABOUT 15,000 POUNDS.
SECOND, 10, THIRD, 5, AND EVERYBODY IS A WINNER BECAUSE EVERYBODY GETS A FEW THOUSAND POUNDS FOR LOCAL CHARITIES.
IT’S ALL ACCUMULATED OVER THE YEARS.
NEARLY 3 MILLION.
SO, WESTMINSTER HAS BEEN A FAIRLY CONSISTENT WINNER OF BIG PRIZES, AND BY THE LOOKS OF THAT ENTRY TODAY, THEY WILL BE STRONG CONTENDERS.
>> I THINK SO.
I THINK SO.
>> JUST A QUICK GLIMPSE OF JONESBORO, THAT INCREDIBLE BAND.
BUT RIGHT NOW, OF COURSE, WE HAVE IN THE ARENA, ANOTHER MARCHING BAND FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ANOTHER ONE IN FACT FROM GEORGIA, THIS IS FROM ANOTHER PART OF GEORGIA.
EVANS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND.
♪ ♪ >>> AS WE SEE SOME OF THESE TRIBUTE BANDS PASSING ALONG.
>> THE TRIBUTE BANDS DIDN’T NEED MUCH.
>> THEY DON’T NEED MUCH INTRODUCTION.
YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE, DON’T YOU?
>> I WAS A BIT CONFUSED.
I KEPT ON THINKING I WAS HEARING OASIS.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.
NEVER MIND, THEY WERE ENTERTAINING.
THEY WERE GREAT.
>> IT’S ALL ICONIC BRITISH MUSIC AT THE END OF THE DAY.
>> THAT’S TRUE.
I’LL GIVE YOU THAT.
LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKLEY COMING THROUGH, WITH THEIR ENTRY INTO THIS YEAR’S BOROUGH COMPETITION.
THESE LONDON PARADE BALLOONS ARE HELD ALOFT BY THE STUDENTS FROM THE BLUE SPRING SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA.
THEY ACTUALLY PERFORMED IN A CONCERT AT JOHNS HALL ON THE 30th OF DECEMBER AND IT WAS A TERRIFIC EVENING.
THERE WE HAVE THE ICONIC, DEFINITELY ICONIC LONDON PEARLY KINGS AND QUEENS SOCIETY.
FRANK THE SOLDIER, THERE HE IS.
EVER PRESENT AT THE LONDON PARADE, SO THEY SHOULD BE, BECAUSE THEY ARE SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF LONDON.
AND THEY ARE CELEBRATING.
WE ARE BOASTING ABOUT BEING 40.
THEY ARE 150 THIS YEAR.
AND I HOPE WE MIGHT WELL GRAB A COUPLE OF THE PEARLIES TO HAVE A CHAT WITH US IN JUST A FEW MINUTES TIME.
BUT MEANWHILE, THAT WAS A GLIMPSE OF THE PEARLIES.
THIS IS A GLIMPSE OF WATKINS MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL.
WATKINS MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL FROM -- THAT’S WALTON.
NO, THAT IS WATKINS.
THAT IS WATKINS, AND THEY COME FROM JUST OUTSIDE COLUMBUS, OHIO.
AND NOW, TEST YOU ON YOUR AMERICAN -- I GOT TO SAY TO YOU.
>> LET ME GET MY PHONE OUT.
>> I GOT TO SAY TO YOU, O-H.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
I-O.
ANYWAY.
>> THE ONLY STATE THAT IS ROUND ON BOTH SIDES AND HIGH IN THE MIDDLE.
>> LET’S GO, THAT’S ENOUGH FROM US.
LET’S GO AND SEE WHAT JOE AND SHWASEY ARE UP TO ON THE OTHER END OF THE PARADE ROUTE.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> I’M FROM CROMWELL, AS IS MY PARTNER.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.
>> YOU’RE GOING TO BE OUT OF ENERGY.
>> WE ARE WORN OUT ALREADY.
I HAVE A SPARE PAIR OF BOOTS.
>> DON’T TEMP ME.
I AM ENJOYING THIS.
>> ALL RIGHT, LET’S KEEP GOING.
>> LET’S GO.
>> HOW IS THE PARADE SO FAR?
>> BRILLIANT.
WE TRAVELED UP SIX HOURS LAST NIGHT FROM CROMWELL.
AND WE ARE TRAVELING BACK TOMORROW.
THAT’S MY PARTNER THERE.
>> HELLO, PARTNER.
>> QUICK, QUICK, QUICK.
>> FANTASTIC.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
>> COME BACK.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
HAVE AN AMAZING PARADE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> TAKE CARE.
WE’LL LET YOU GUYS GO.
BYE.
>> WE HAVE HEATHER SMALL HERE FOR YOU.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ENJOY THE REST.
WE LOVE LONDON.
WE LOVE LONDON.
>> LET’S HEAR IT FOR HEATHER SMALL.
>> WELL, THAT’S THE LEGEND THAT IS HEATHER SMALL.
I CAN’T TELL YOU, DAISY, HOW ABSOLUTELY THRILLED I WAS WHEN JOE TOLD ME THAT WE BOOKED HEATHER FOR THIS YEAR’S PARADE.
TO ME, SHE’S A LEGEND.
>> I HAD THE SAME REACTION.
I WAS VERY EXCITED TO SEE HER ON THE LIST.
>> WHEN SHE OPENED THE 2012 OLYMPICS.
THAT WAS AN AMAZING THING.
SO, SHE’S BEEN LOVELY TO WORK WITH OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AS WE’VE BEEN PROMOTING LONDON PARADE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE.
YOU ARE JUST GETTING A GLIMPSE OF THE BIGGEST BAND THAT WE HAVE EVER HAD IN LONDON’S PARADE.
COMBINED TWO HIGH SCHOOLS FROM O-H.
>> I-O.
>> WE’LL GET A GREAT PERFORMANCE FROM THE APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING CATS.
♪ ♪ [ APPLAUSE ] >> THERE WE GO.
THE APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING CATS.
QUITE REMARKABLE MARCHING BAND FROM GEORGIA.
THEY ARE AN INCREDIBLE SCHOOL.
IN SEPTEMBER, 2024, I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS IT, IT WAS ALL OVER THE NEWS.
THEY SUFFERED A TRAGIC SHOOTING.
ALL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, AND WE THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE, OR THEY THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE THE END.
IT WAS ON THE FIELD AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
BUT INCREDIBLE RESILIENCE AND THEY BOUNCED BACK FROM IT ALL, AND WONDERFUL NEW UNIFORMS CAME TO LONDON, AND IT’S BEEN THE SALVATION FOR THE SCHOOL.
>> IT CAN BE VERY HEALING, CAN’T IT?
TO COME BACK TOGETHER IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
>> WELL, BOB, I HAVE SOME ROYALTY HERE.
AN ACTUAL KING AND QUEEN.
>> PEARLY ONES, YOU MEAN.
>> I HAVE GWEN AND I HAVE CHRIS.
GWEN IS A PEARLY QUEEN FROM ROYAL GREENWICH.
WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW IS PRESUMABLY, YOU MADE THESE YOURSELVES.
RIGHT?
THIS ISN’T SOMETHING YOU CAN GO AND JUST BUY IN A SHOP.
>> I WISH YOU COULD, ACTUALLY, IT WOULD SAVE A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT.
>> HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU?
>> AGES.
I HAVE A LOT MORE.
WHEN I STARTED OFF, I JUST HAD A FEW.
IT IS NEVER REALLY FINISHED.
THINGS FALL OFF.
YOU CAN ADD TO IT ALL THE TIME.
IT’S A WORK IN PROGRESS.
>> A GLORIOUS WORK IN PROGRESS.
AND ALSO WITH YOU, MY GOODNESS, THE HAT IS SPECTACULAR.
IF I’M RIGHT, THIS IS ALL TIED IN ALSO WITH PHILANTHROPY AND CHARITY, WHICH IS WHY IT’S SUCH A WONDERFUL FIT FOR LONDON PARADE.
>> WE HAVE DONE THE PARADE NEARLY 40 YEARS.
AND ALL OUR MONEY GOES TO CHARITY.
WE RAISED 35,000 LAST YEAR.
>> YEAH, LAST YEAR.
>> SORRY.
JUST A FEW MOMENTS AGO, YES.
>> NOW WE ARE VERY LUCKY.
THESE LOCAL PEOPLE, AND PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE MADE DONATIONS.
WE ARE VERY, VERY FORTUNATE.
>> SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE INCREDIBLELY PROUD OF.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
WHAT IS THE FOCUS FOR 2026?
>> QUITE A FEW JOBS BOOKED UP ALREADY.
THE ROTARY CLUB, >> GREAT ANTICIPATION.
IT’S A LOVELY THING TO DO.
EVERY YEAR, THAT’S THE EXCITEMENT OF IT.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY YEAR.
AND THE SAME AS IT WAS 150 YEARS AGO.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE IN NEED, I’M AFRAID.
THE CORE VALUES.
>> THAT’S A TRIBUTE AND A WONDERFUL REMINDER GOING INTO A NEW YEAR, TO JUST REMEMBER, IT ISN’T JUST ABOUT OURSELVES, IT’S ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES AROUND US AS WELL.
>> VERY IMPORTANT.
VERY IMPORTANT.
>> AND THE GREAT THING IS, BY WEARING THIS, YOU PUT A SMILE ON PEOPLE’S FACE.
THEY ARE FORMALLY HAPPY TO SEE YOU.
IT’S GOOD FUN.
>> ARE YOU IRISH DANCERS?
NO.
WE’RE THE LONDON PEARLY KINGS AND QUEENS SOCIETY.
>> WE SHOULD BOOK SOME DANCE CLASSES.
EVERYONE WANTS US TO DANCE.
>> SOME OF YOU NEED SINGING CLASSES, BUT NEVER MIND.
>> YOU’VE SEEN SOME BAND MEMBERS PERFORM.
>> WE HAVE INDEED.
WE THINK WE’RE GETTING 40.
YOU ARE 150 NOW.
NOT YOU PERSONALLY.
>> 150 YEARS.
VERY PRIVILEGED.
>> WE’RE SO DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU HERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY.
>> WELL, THAT WAS GREAT TO MEET THE PEARLIES.
IT IS SUCH FUN SUPPORTERS OF OURS.
IN THE BACKGROUND, YOU COULD SEE THE LONDON BOROUGH.
AND IT WAS PRETTY LOUD.
I HEAP YOU HEARD THE INTERESTING STUFF THE PEARLY’S WERE TELLING US.
THIS YEAR, THEY ARE THE WINNERS LAST YEAR OF THE BOROUGH COMPETITION.
THEY ARE THE CURRENT HOLDERS OF THE TROPHY.
AS I LOOK AT THAT WONDERFUL FLOAT THEY HAVE GOING THROUGH THERE.
>> ISN’T THAT SPECTACULAR?
>> I HAVE A VERY STRONG SUSPICION, ESPECIALLY HAVING SEEN THE MUSICAL, OR THE DRUMMING THAT CAME OUT OF THEIR ACT.
I RECKON THEY WILL BE IN THE RUNNING AGAIN.
THERE WE ARE.
I’VE SAID THAT FOR EVERY GROUP SO FAR.
SO YOU KNOW.
DON’T TAKE ANY NOTICE OF WHAT I SAY.
>> THAT IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE, BOB.
EVERYONE SHOULD BE IN THE RUNNING BECAUSE EVERYONE PUTS SO MUCH WORK INTO THIS.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
EVEN COMPETITION.
>> WELL, THERE’S THE JONESBORO MAJESTIC MARCHING CARDINALS.
THEY ARE VERY YOUNG.
COMING THROUGH.
>> THEY ARE OLD SOULS.
>> WE’LL BE SEEING THEM IN THE ARENA BEFORE TOO LONG.
MEANWHILE, WE HAVE ANOTHER MARCHING BAND ACT.
WE HAVE SEEN THEM COMING DOWN THE PARADE ROUTE QUITE A FEW TIMES.
THIS TIME WE’RE GOING TO HEAR THEM PERFORM.
THEY WILL BE PERFORMING A MARY POPPINS MEDIALLY.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ASK JOHN PALMER AND CHRIS JONES.
WALTON HIGH SCHOOL.
♪ ♪ [ APPLAUSE ] >> EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE, AND VERY RECOGNIZABLE SONGS FROM MARY POPPINS.
THE WALTON HIGH SCHOOL BAND.
>> HONORING LONDON WITH THAT SOUND TRACK.
I LOVE IT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I WAS LOOKING AT THE CHIMNEY PARTS AND WONDERING WHAT MIGHT BE FLYING BY.
NOTHING THERE.
MAYBE LATER.
MAYBE LATER.
WHO KNOWS.
TALKING ABOUT LOOKING UP AND SEEING THINGS FLYING BY.
I THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING COMING INTO THE ARENA RELATIVELY SOON THAT WILL BE TAKING OUR BREATH AWAY.
>> I THINK YOU’RE RIGHT.
I THINK YOU’RE RIGHT.
>> ANOTHER MARCHING BAND THERE, MAKING IT WAY DOWN PICCADILLY TOWARDS THAT TURN ON TO REGENT STREET.
THEY SEEM TO BE KEEPING WARM OUT THERE.
THAT’S GOOD.
THE ENTERTAINMENT IS KEEPING THEM WARM.
>> BABY DINOSAUR IS STILL ON THE PROWL.
>> LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE BABY STEGASAURUS.
>> FLYING THROUGH LONDON.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ APPLAUSE ] >> WOW.
WOW.
WOW.
>> WELL, YOU SAID IT WAS GOING TO BLOW MY SOCKS OFF AND YOU WERE RIGHT.
I MEAN, THAT WAS INCREDIBLE.
>> I KNOW, IT’S AMAZING.
NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE.
IT IS SPLENDID.
WHEN WE SEE IT AGAIN, IT’S COMING BACK WITH SAM RYDER LATER ON.
IT WILL BE IN THE DARK.
PROBABLY EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE WHEN IT’S UNDER THE LIGHTS.
ANYWAY, THE DREAM ENGINE WAS SO DELIGHTED.
WE LAST HAD THE DREAM ENGINE IN THE FIRST YEAR WE CAME BACK AFTER PANDEMIC, AND WE DID AN ARENA SHOW AS OPPOSED TO A PARADE SHOW.
HEALTH REGULATIONS DIDN’T LET US DO THE PARADE.
AND IT WAS SUCH A BIG HIT THEN.
ASKED JOE IF WE COULD HAVE IT BACK, AND HERE IT IS.
>> IT WAS ASTONISHING.
THE CROWD BEING ABLE TO REACH UP.
IT’S TOUCHING AN ANGEL, ISN’T IT?
>> IS THIS YOUR PERSONAL FLEET OF VEHICLES?
>> I CAN ASK THEM TO MAKE THEM NICE AND SHINY.
CLEAN THEM UP, MAKE THEM LOOK THEIR BEST, AND I THINK MY TEAM DID A GOOD JOB, DON’T YOU?
>> HOLLYWOOD STARS.
YOU DO LIKE YOUR CARS, DON’T YOU?
ANYWAY, THE ASTON MARTIN.
ICONIC BRITISH BRAND.
THE OO7 CLUB.
WE’LL SEE THEM COME THROUGH LATER.
THIS IS THE PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY BAND FROM FLORIDA.
THEY ARE FROM PALM BEACH, AS THE NAME IMPLIES.
THEY CHALLENGE THE JONESBORO BAND FOR ENERGY AND SHEER NOISE.
IN A GOOD WAY.
SO IT IS VERY INTERESTING TO COMPARE THE TWO.
IT IS FRIENDLY COMPETITION.
>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.
>> THEY ARE TERRIFICALLY GOOD.
AND THE DANCERS IN PARTICULAR.
>> BASICALLY WON THE COMPETITION IF YOU’RE IN THE PARADE BY THIS POINT, RIGHT?
>> EVERYONE IS A WINNER.
INDEED THEY ARE.
THERE’S THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON.
WINNERS TWO YEARS AGO, I THINK, AND SECOND PLACE LAST YEAR.
AND THEY ARE THE ONLY BOROUGH TO HAVE WON A PRIZE EVERY SINGLE YEAR OF THE LONDON BOROUGH COMPETITION.
>> A WINNING TRADITION INDEED.
>> VERY MUCH SO.
THEY CERTAINLY ARE VERY COMPETITIVE.
I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT.
ALWAYS A VERY GOOD FLOAT.
WE’LL SEE THAT LATER ON.
LOOKS LIKE THREE MAYORS, THAT CAN’T BE POSSIBLE.
SO, NOW WE COME TO THE MAJESTIC MARCHING CARDINALS.
>> YES, WE DO.
>> THIS IS THE MARCHING CARDINALS FROM JONESBORO, GEORGIA.
>> THAT’S A COMMUNITY THAT IS CHEERING ON RIGHT NOW.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE NOISE THAT THE MAYOR AND HER GROUP ARE MAKING FROM THE GRAND STAND.
I’M SURE IT WILL BE BIG.
MAJESTIC MARCHING CARDINALS.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> WASN’T THAT EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS THEY SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE.
UNDER THE EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP.
HE TOOK THAT BAND FROM JUST 15 MEMBERS TO THE POWER HOUSE THAT IT IS TODAY.
AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY OUT OF THE ARENA HERE AT LONDON PARADE’S 40th ANNIVERSARY.
MAJESTIC MARCHING CARDINALS.
JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL WITH THEIR MEDIALLY.
EARTH, WIND, AND FIRE, AND ADELE.
WHAT A TERRIFIC GROUP.
>> ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR.
THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
THEY ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED.
>> THEY SURE DID.
I THINK AFTER THAT, WE NEED A LITTLE BIT OF A BREATHER.
YOU NEVER KNOW.
THERE COULD BE ANYTHING.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US THIS TIME?
WHAT’S AT THE OTHER END OF THE PARADE?
>> HOW WICKED IS THIS?
>> WE’VE BEEN BOMBARDED.
>> IT’S BOOGIE STORM, AND MONKEY MANIA.
>> THERE’S A MONKEY WITH ROLLER SKATES ON.
>> THIS IS THE CREATOR.
THE GENIUS BEHIND IT ALL.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AGAIN.
>> HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING IT?
>> AMAZING.
WE LOVE IT.
THIS IS OUR SIXTH OR SEVENTH YEAR NOW.
MONKEY MANIA, AMAZING.
>> THIS MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I’M A KID ALL OVER AGAIN.
IT’S MAGICAL, I LOVE IT.
I’M GOING TO LET YOU CARRY ON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT?
THERE’S A LOT OF TALENT OUT THERE IN LIVERPOOL, ISN’T IT?
WE NEVER NOTICED BEFORE.
>> SOMEONE SHOULD START A BAND, I DON’T KNOW.
IT MIGHT WORK.
>> WE HAD ADAM WITH BOOGIE STORM.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING AT HERE?
ANOTHER WONDERFUL MARCHING BAND ALONG PICCADILLY.
THEY WILL BE WITH US BEFORE TOO LONG.
MAKING THEIR WAY PAST THE ACADEMY OF ARTS.
>> BOB, AS YOU MENTIONED THE END OF THE PARADE, IT DOES BARE MENTIONING WHEN ALL OF THESE BANDS WALK PAST US AT THE END OF THEIR WALK, THEY ARE GREETED MAJESTICALLY BIG BIG BEN.
SAYING WELL DONE.
COULD IT GET MORE ICONIC THAN THAT IN LONDON?
>> IT CERTAINLY COULDN’T.
IT’S NOT JUST BIG BEN.
IT’S THE THUMBS UP.
>> THAT’S RIGHT.
>> THERE YOU GO.
IT’S ALL GOOD NEWS FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW.
WELL, I’M VERY, VERY PLEASED TO SEE A LOT OF SMILES OUT THERE.
THAT’S BEEN OUR THEME FOR THIS YEAR, YOU KNOW?
IT’S NOT GIVE THE WORLD AWAY, IT’S GIVE THE WORLD A SMILE.
EVERYBODY NEEDS A SMILE.
ALL THE CROWDS OF PEOPLE THERE, SMILING QUITE A BIT.
SO THAT’S GOOD.
THAT MEANS THEY ARE ENJOYING THE ENTERTAINMENT THEY ARE GETTING.
>> IT IS PRETTY INFECTIOUS, I MUST SAY.
>> QUICK LOOK AT PALM BEACH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY WILL BE TRYING TO MATCH JONESBORO.
THEY HAVE A JOB ON THEIR HANDS.
>> I THINK THEY ARE UP TO THE TASK.
>> THEY SURE ARE.
>> WELL, IF YOU RECALL IN PREVIOUS YEARS, I KNOW YOU HAVE SEEN IT BEFORE.
>> I HELD MY BREATH.
I HELD MY BREATH.
>> AND THIS USED TO BE MOTOR, NOW THEY CHANGED THEIR NAME.
BUT THEY ARE VERY DARING.
BUT SO FAR, SO GOOD, AFTER MANY, MANY YEARS OF HAVING THEM ENTERTAIN THE CROWDS HERE AT LONDON PARADE.
WE HAVEN’T YET HAD AN INCIDENT, AND I JUST CLOSE MY EYES.
THEY ARE FANTASTIC, ACTUALLY.
YOU PROBABLY HAVE TO HOLD YOUR BREATH AND CROSS YOUR FINGERS.
THEY ARE PROFESSIONALS, THESE GUYS.
♪ YOU SEE, I WAS FAIRLY RELAXED AFTER THE FIRST ONE, DAISY.
THAT WAS A LOW ONE.
THAT WAS A SAMPLER.
>> THAT WAS THE ONE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO EASE YOU INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.
>> EXACTLY.
>> AS WE CAN SEE, YOUNG AND OLD ENJOYING TODAY.
WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY UNION JACKS OUT IN THE CROWD.
WE HAVE SEEN FLAGS FROM OTHER PLACES, TOO.
>> THAT IS OF COURSE; THE TRADE MARK OF THIS PARADE.
IT’S NOT A PARADE OF PEOPLE FROM ONE PLACE.
I THINK IT’S 26, ACTUALLY.
26 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES REPRESENTED IN LONDON PARADE THIS YEAR.
THAT’S A FAIRLY TYPICAL FIGURE.
AND IT JUST GOES TO SHOW WHAT A DIVERSE WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE CITY WE ARE HERE IN LONDON.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AND THOSE ARE THE PERFORMERS.
MANY MORE NATIONALITIES REPRESENTED IF YOU COUNT THE CROWDS.
>> THERE YOU GO.
WESTMINSTER.
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN IN WESTMINSTER?
>> IT’S SOMETHING LIKE OVER 100 LANGUAGES.
>> IT’S MORE THAN THAT, ACTUALLY.
IT’S 240.
>> YEAH, THERE YOU GO.
>> IT MIGHT BE DEELECTS AS WELL.
I’M INTRIGUED WITH THIS ROBOTIC MINI DINOSAUR.
BUT HE’S ALSO GOT VERY POWERFUL BATTERIES, OBVIOUSLY.
>> HE IS VERY CUTE.
>> THIS ONE NOT QUITE CUTE.
ALTHOUGH HE LOOKS PRETTY FRIENDLY, DON’T YOU THINK?
>> HE LOOKS FRIENDLY.
NOT AS CUDDLY AS HIS FRIEND.
>> WE HAVE SEEN HIM BEFORE.
WHO BRINGS US ALL OF THESE THINGS?
>> THIS WOULD BE ANDY DAY?
>> ANDY DAY ISN’T THE DINOSAUR MAN.
THAT’S CREATURE EVENTS.
ANDY DAY IS ONE OF THE PROMINENT BEST KNOWN CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINERS IN GREAT BRITAIN.
I’M TOLD HE IS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY, BUT BRILLIANT, KIDS LOVE HIM.
>> HE’S A CBB FAVORITE.
>> EXACTLY.
THERE HE IS.
ANDY DAY.
AND HE’LL BE ENTERTAINING ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE.
NOBODY IS GOING TO NOT BE GIVEN A WORD OR TWO FROM ANDY AS HE MAKES HIS WAY THROUGH THE CROWD.
>> ALSO, DEVOTED TO ANTIBULLYING, WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT IN HIS EDUCATION.
>> HE HAS TAKEN ON MORE IMPORTANT CAUSES AND PROMOTES THEM VERY, VERY WELL.
>> HE DOES HAVE A FEW INTRIGUING FRIENDS WITH HIM, BOB.
>> HE CERTAINLY DOES.
ANDY AND THE ODD SOCKS.
>> THAT’S RIGHT.
THAT’S RIGHT.
>> ALWAYS ENJOY THE MONKEYS, ACTUALLY.
>> OH YEAH.
ME TOO.
>> THAT PALM BEACH GROUP AGAIN.
THE RAM REGIMENT.
>> AND BOB, EACH OF THESE BANDS IS NOT ONLY HAND PICKED, BUT HAND INVITED.
>> OH YEAH, WE GO TO AMERICA TO INVITE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
EVERY ACT IN THIS PARADE IS PERSONALLY INVITED.
BY MYSELF, OR BY JOE BURN, OR ONE OF THE PARADE PATRONS.
NO ONE GETS UNTOUCHED.
WE THINK THAT’S A VERY IMPORTANT THING TO DO.
IT’S A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW IMPORTANT THESE GUYS ARE TO US.
AND HERE’S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE THAT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO US, IT’S THE FIRST TIME AT LONDON PARADE, 40th ANNIVERSARY PARADE.
OBVIOUSLY, IT’S THE FIRST TIME FOR THE 40th ANNIVERSARY.
EDWARDSVILLE MARCHING TIGERS.
♪ ♪ [ APPLAUSE ] >> THE EDWARDSVILLE MARCHING TIGERS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DEAN ANDERSON, PLAYING, WE HEARD THAT GOLDEN AGAIN, AND 24K MAGIC, WE HAVEN’T HEARD BEFORE.
ARRANGED BY PAUL, AND TOM WALLACE AS WELL.
I THOUGHT THEY WERE EXTREMELY GOOD, ACTUALLY, AND I REALLY, REALLY HOPE WE SEE THEM AGAIN.
WHY DON’T I TAG THEM BEFORE THEY WERE FROM NEAR ST.
LOUIS, WHICH IS IN MISSOURI.
THEY ARE FROM ST.
LOUIS.
BUT ACROSS THE BORDER.
THEY ARE AN ILLINOIS GROUP.
>> AND KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND THEY WERE VERY EXCITED TO GO GLOBAL HERE IN LONDON.
>> I BET THEY WERE.
AND BY GOODNESS, THEY DID A GREAT JOB, DIDN’T THEY?
TY REALLY HOPE THEY WILL BE BACK SOMETIME.
THEY WERE A GREAT LOOKING BAND AS WELL.
WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT ECUADOR, WHICH WILL BE PART OF OUR PUEBLO GROUPS FOR THIS YEAR.
CARNIVAL PUEBLO HAVE BEEN GRACING LONDON’S NEW YEAR’S DAY PARADE FOR MANY YEARS, WITH ACTS FROM ALL OVER LATIN AMERICA.
HERE THEY ARE.
THE AMAZING BOOGIE STORM WITH THE MONKEYS THIS YEAR.
>> HERE WE GO.
>> IF YOU’RE FEELING A LITTLE BIT COLD, YOU’LL BE PLEASED TO KNOW THIS PERFORMANCE INCLUDES A LITTLE BIT OF FIRE.
SO WE’LL BE HEATING THINGS UP, BECAUSE HOPEFULLY YOU’RE STAYING WARM.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET’S WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR’S DAY PARADE, LONDON PARADE, 2026, IT’S BOOGIE STORM.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> NOT EVERY DAY YOU SEE STORM TROOPERS TWERKING, IS IT, BOB?
>> 50 MILLION VIEWERS HAVE SEEN THAT ONLINE.
THAT’S QUITE INCREDIBLE.
THEY ARE AMAZINGLY POPULAR.
BOTH HERE AND IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS WELL.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ALL OVER THE WORLD.
>> INDEED ON TELEVISION ALL OVER THE WORLD, TOO.
THEY ARE VERY RECOGNIZABLE.
IT CAN’T BE EASY TO DANCE IN THOSE COSTUMES, I THINK.
>> I WOULD THINK IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
I DON’T KNOW.
THEY SHOW THEY CAN DO IT REALLY, REALLY WELL.
WHAT AN ORIGINAL IDEA.
NOW BRINGING THE MONKEYS IN AS WELL.
>> SO FUN.
>> AND THE MONKEY BREAKDOWN, THAT’S SOMETHING ELSE.
WE’RE LOOKING UP NOW AT THE -- WHERE ARE THEY FROM?
A LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRY, BOLIVIA, I THINK THAT’S RIGHT.
THEY HAVE SOME ECUADORANS, I CAN TELL BY THE COLORS.
AND THAT’S ALL PART OF THE CARNAVAL DEL PUEBLO.
THEY BRING MUSIC FROM CENTRAL AMERICA TO LONDON ON A BRIGHT JANUARY 1.
>> I THINK WE HAVE A PRETTY FAIRLY BRIGHT DAY, YES.
PARTICULARLY IN COMPARISON TO LAST YEAR.
WE’RE NOT MAKING COMPARISONS.
>> THE LAST TIME WE’RE GOING TO MENTION LAST YEAR.
HERE WE HAVE OUR CHEERLEADER BALLOON COMING DOWN.
THAT’S BEING HANDLED DOWN THE PARADE ROUTE.
IT’S A VERY STOCKY CHEERLEADER.
BEING HANDED DOWN THE PARADE ROUTE BY SOME STUDENTS FROM THE BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH FESTIVAL CHOIR.
I THINK WE HAD ANOTHER BALLOON HANDLED BY KIDS IT FROM THERE AS WELL.
AND THEY ALL PERFORMED IN CONCERT ON THE 30th OF DECEMBER.
AND THOSE OF YOU WATCHING THIS ON PBS SOMEWHERE OR OTHER IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- >> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THEM AWHILE BACK, DAISY.
>> THERE ARE OUR FRIENDS.
>> NOT OUR FRIENDS.
WE HAD REAL, REAL ROYALTY.
>> WE DID.
>> THIS IS LONDON BOROUGH SUTTON.
THEY ARE WINNERS OF THE NEW YEAR’S PARADE.
HOPE THEY WILL WIN AGAIN.
THOSE ARE OUR CHEERLEADERS.
VARSITY CHEERLEADERS MAKING THEIR WAY DOWN REGENT JAMES.
ENJOYING THEMSELVES.
ANYWAY, SOMEBODY ELSE IS PROBABLY ENJOYING THEMSELVES A BIT.
ANOTHER TWO.
COULD IT BE?
COME ON.
>> JOE AND SWAZEY, WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
>> LONDON PARADE, A TRIBUTE TO THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARADE.
>> THAT’S AMAZING.
HOW ARE YOU?
>> I’M GOOD, THANK YOU.
>> YOU’RE RIGHT AT THE FRONT.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
>> OH, HI, THIS IS AMAZING.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE PARADE SO FAR?
>> IT’S LOVELY.
SO MANY PEOPLE HERE.
IT’S GREAT.
I THINK WE’RE ALL HAVING FUN.
>> A WHOLE TEAM OF THEM WALKING.
WHAT IS THIS?
>> WELL, IT’S A DRAGON.
YEAH.
>> LOOKS AMAZING.
I’M GOING TO LET YOU CARRY ON.
HAVE A FANTASTIC TIME.
AND THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANKS.
>> THEY DO LOOK LIKE YOU ARE HAVING FUN AND I HOPE YOU ARE WARM.
YOU LOOKED LIKE YOU WRAPPED UP A BIT MORE.
KEEP WARM.
KEEP SENDING US GREAT STUFF.
WE LIKE SEEING YOU.
THE MARCHING BAND FROM BLUE SPRINGS.
A HUGE BAND.
I THINK THERE’S AROUND 250 OR 260 PERFORMERS IN THIS BAND LED BY BAND DIRECTOR, KENNY HANSON.
FROM BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI.
AND AS I SAY, THEY WILL BE JOINING US HERE.
OH, THEY ARE JUST PASSING THROUGH THE PARADE START, THE ARCH.
IT WILL BE AWHILE BEFORE THEY ARE WITH US, THEY WILL BE WITH US IN 45 MINUTES OR AN HOURS TIME IN THE PERFORMANCE ARENA.
I RECKON CROWDS AT THE START ARE GETTING BIGGER.
>> I THINK YOU’RE RIGHT.
AS THE DAY GOES ON, PEOPLE ARE WALKING AROUND TOWN A LITTLE BIT AND DECIDING, LET’S MAKE THIS PART OF OUR DAY.
THE WORLD IS COMING TO LONDON ON NEW YEAR’S DAY, BOB, THAT’S WHAT WE DO.
>> THEY ARE NOW.
THEY CERTAINLY WEREN’T 40 YEARS AGO, I CAN TELL YOU THAT.
THEY ARE NOW.
THESE HAVE TO BE MORE OF THE CARNAVAL DEL PUEBLO.
THAT’S HOW I KNOW THAT.
THAT’S VERY CLEVER.
THEY ARE COMING DOWN INTO REGENT STREET ST.
JAMES.
>> IT MUST BE A VERY EXCITING FEELING WHEN YOU’RE AT THE START OF THE PARADE, WAITING TO START.
YOU SEE ALL OF THESE OTHER BANDS AND ACTS AND BOROUGHS GO THROUGH THAT ARCHWAY.
AND NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.
THAT’S GOT TO BE A VERY EXCITING FEELING.
>> ACTUALLY, YOU’RE RIGHT.
I TALK TO MANY AFTER.
I KNOW YOU DO AS WELL, DAISY.
AND WHAT MANY OF THEM SAY IS, THEY HAD GREAT TIME ON THE PARADE.
THEY LOVED IT.
MANY SAY, WE WOULD LIKE TO TURN AROUND AND DO IT ALL AGAIN.
THE THING THEY SEEM TO ENJOY MOST OF ALL IS MEETING ALL THE OTHER PERFORMERS IN THE ASSEMBLY AREA AND CHATTING AND COMPARING NOTES ABOUT THE EXCITEMENT LEVELS COMING UP.
THESE ARE THE ENTRY FROM THE POLISH COMMUNITY IN LONDON.
ALL SORTS OF THINGS IN THIS ENTRY.
THE POLISH COMMUNITY IN LONDON IS A VERY, VERY LARGE, VIBRANT, AND TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT COMMUNITY.
AND ONE OF THE WONDERFUL COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE REALLY ASEMILATED THEMSELVES COMPLETELY.
SOME OF THESE GUYS ARE MORE BRITISH THAN ME.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THEY ARE REALLY AMAZING.
I THINK THE POLISH COMMUNITY, GREAT, GREAT ASSET TO THE LONDON SOCIETY.
>> NO QUESTION.
PART OF LONDON, CERTAINLY, OVER 100,000 PROUD, JUST HERE IN LONDON.
OVER 700,000 POLLS HERE IN THE UK.
PROUDLY WAVING THEIR POLISH FLAGS AND THEY UNION JACKS AT THE SAME TIME.
FANTASTIC.
>> THERE THEY ARE.
THE VARSITY CHEERLEADERS.
THEY WILL BE PERFORMING LAND OF A THOUSAND DANCERS, I THINK.
THEY HAVE BEEN CROWD PLEASERS HERE AT LONDON PARADE.
ACTUALLY, NOT ALL 40 PARADES, BUT 37 OF THEM.
SO WE’LL GIVE THEM A PASS ON THE OTHER THREE.
>> I THINK SO.
THEY DO SUCH A GOOD JOB OF KEEPING THE CROWD’S ENERGY UP.
KEEPING THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS ENERGY UP.
THAT’S WHAT THEY DO NATURALLY AS CHEERLEADERS.
>> IT CERTAINLY IS.
WHEN YOU THINK THEY MEET EACH OTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN THEY GET OVER HERE TO LONDON.
AND THEY HAVE ONE REHEARSAL.
AND THEY PUT IT TOGETHER THE WAY THEY DO, AS WE SEE IN A FEW MINUTES TIME.
IT’S QUITE AMAZING.
>> IT REALLY IS.
>> THE WATKINS MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING WARRIORS FROM OHIO, WHICH IS QUITE NEAR COLUMBUS.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> THE WATKINS MEMORIAL BAND.
THEY JUST PLAYED SHUT UP AND DANCE.
AND THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME, ACTUALLY, THE SECOND TIME.
THEY CAME WAY, WAY, WAY BACK INTO THE BEGINNING OF TIME.
THEY ARE A MUCH BIGGER GROUP NOW, AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, THEY LOOK A LOT BETTER THAN ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.
THERE WE GO.
GOOD GROUP.
AND A SHOUTOUT TO THEIR CHOIR THAT CARRIED IN FRONT OF THEM.
>> THEY TRAVELED WITH THEIR CHOIR AS WELL.
AND THAT’S REALLY EXCITING TO BE ABLE TO BRING THAT MANY KIDS AND HOPEFULLY THAT MANY FAMILY MEMBERS, SEPARATE OF THE KIDS.
WHAT A GREAT TRIP TO LONDON, ESPECIALLY FOR NEW YEAR’S.
>> AND THE CHOIR, AMAZING PERFORMANCE IN THE HOLY TRINITY CHURCH .
THEY GAVE THAT ON THE 29th OF DECEMBER.
IT LOOKED BEAUTIFUL.
IT’S AVAILABLE ONLINE IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE IT.
AND THEY PAIRED UP WITH THE YOUNG MUSICIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
ANYWAY, THAT’S AVAILABLE ONLINE.
THAT’S WATKINS.
WE JUST SAW THE BAND, FORSYTHE HIGH SCHOOL MAKING THEIR WAY DOWN WHITEHALL INTO THE PERFORMANCE ARENA, WHERE WE ARE SITTING, DAISY.
>> YES, WE ARE.
>> AND IT’S SO EXCITING WHEN THE BANDS PLAY RIGHT BEHIND US.
WE CAN FEEL THE DRUMS.
WE CAN FEEL THE MUSIC, AND IT’S REALLY A THRILL AS EACH DIFFERENT ACT COMES DOWN WITH THEIR OWN FLAVOR ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.
>> IF WE LOOK OUT AT THE PARADE START, JUST COMING THROUGH THE ARCH IS THE ENTRY FROM LONDON’S CHINATOWN.
THIS YEAR, ALWAYS VERY, VERY COLORFUL, OF COURSE, WE’RE CELEBRATING A NEW YEAR.
THEY DON’T HAVE THEIRS FOR WHAT?
ANOTHER SIX WEEKS, I THINK.
IT’S QUITE LATE IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
THEY ALWAYS COME OUT TO CELEBRATE OURS WITH US, AND WE ALWAYS GO ALONG WITH THEM TO SEE THEIRS IN SOHO.
AND THEY ALWAYS HAVE WONDERFUL DRAGONS.
WHAT OTHER THINGS CAN WE SEE, DAISY?
>> I’M LOOKING FOR HORSES.
I KNOW WE’RE GOING INTO THE CHINESE YEAR OF THE HORSE.
OF COURSE, WE SEE BEAUTIFUL PANDAS.
WE SEE ALL KINDS OF FIGURES.
AND THE DRAGONS, THAT’S WHAT WE ALL WANT TO SEE, ISN’T IT?
THAT’S WHAT WE’RE WAITING FOR.
THEY ARE GIVING US WHAT WE WANT, BOB.
>> THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE.
THERE WE HAVE ANOTHER QUICK GLIMPSE OF THE DANCERS, LOOK AT THE COSTUMES.
THEY MAKE THEM OF COURSE, ALL OF THESE COSTUMES.
♪ >> JUST GETTING A GLIMPSE FROM THE LONDON SPORTS FOR ALL.
LONDON PARADE.
I THINK JOE HAD A CHAT WITH THEM EARLIER.
>> THEY MOST CERTAINLY DID.
>> JUST MARCHING INTO THE ARENA HERE.
MASSIVE MARCHING BAND FROM PICK PICKERRING TON CENTRAL AND NORTH BANDS.
BOTH COME TOGETHER.
YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENT UNIFORMS.
ONE FOR CENTRAL, AND THEY BLEND BEAUTIFULLY.
THEY DO A VERY GOOD JOB.
THEY HAVE BEEN PRACTICING FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS TOGETHER TO GIVE THEIR KEYNOTE PERFORMANCE AT LONDON PARADE.
MASSIVE BAND.
THEY WILL MAKE AN AWFUL LOT OF NOISE, I’M ABSOLUTELY SURE ABOUT THAT.
THE BAND DIRECTORS ARE NATHAN STOWE AND NICHOLAS YOUNG.
>> GOING BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER ABOUT HOW ONE OF THE THINGS THESE KIDS LOVE MOST, MAKING NEW FRIENDS.
PERFECT COLLABORATION.
COMPOSED OF THE TWO HIGH SCHOOLS FROM PICKERINGTON IN OHIO.
PLAYING A BRAND-NEW DAY.
PERFECT ACCOMPLISHMENT TO GET TOGETHER AND PLAY SO WELL TOGETHER .
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> PICKERINGTON KNOWN AS THE VIOLET CITY.
>> SPLENDID BAND.
THEY MADE A PERFORMANCE, ACTUALLY, GAVE A PERFORMANCE ON TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK, AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE THERE TO SEE THEM.
AND THEY WERE WITH OTHER BANDS WE HAVE COMING LATER ON.
ALL THREE BANDS WERE SPECTACULAR.
THEY WERE REALLY, REALLY GOOD.
REALLY, REALLY GOOD.
>> BLUE SPRING SOUTH, MAKING ITS WAY DOWN TO, WHERE ARE WE NOW?
WE’RE COMING DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF REGENT STREET SAINT JAMES.
>> OF COURSE, WE’RE SEEING QUITE A FEW ICONIC LONDON DOUBLE DECKER BUSES ALONG THIS ROUTE.
>> LOTS AND LOTS OF OPEN TOPS.
IT’S NOT BAD WEATHER.
>> IT’S PERFECT.
>> NOW WE HAVE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
THE BAD MOMS THAT DANCE.
WE’LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THEM WHEN THEY DO THEIR STUFF.
♪ ♪ ♪[ APPLAUSE ] ♪ >> THE BAD MOMS THAT DANCE.
BURSTING ON TO THE ADULT DANCE SCENE IN SOUTH LOUISIANA.
BAD MOMS THAT DANCE HAVE GROWN FROM A SMALL COMMUNITY CLASS INTO A FULL-BLOWN CULTURAL MOVEMENT.
>> THEY CERTAINLY HAVE.
THEY ARE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO SHAKE WHAT THEIR MOTHER GAVE THEM, APPARENTLY.
>> I THINK WE BETTER STOP NOW.
>> OR I SHOULD.
I THOUGHT THEY WERE FANTASTIC, ACTUALLY.
THEY ARE SUCH FUN.
THEY PERFORM IN LOTS OF MARDI GRAS PARADES THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA AND THE SOUTHEAST U.S.A., OF COURSE.
MISSISSIPPI.
>> INDEED.
AND MAKING GREAT FRIENDSHIPS AS THEY DANCE THROUGH ALL OF THESE FANTASTIC EVENTS.
>> I BET THEY ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME HERE IN LONDON.
YOU NEVER QUITE KNOW.
>> THAT’S SO TRUE.
THAT’S SO TRUE.
>> ANYWAY.
THERE ARE ALL OF THE ASTON MARTINS.
WE’RE GOING TO TAKE DAISY’S MIND OFF THE SHOWROOM, THE CARS, THAT IS.
JUST TO HAVE A QUICK WORD WITH A COUPLE OF THOSE BAD MOMS THAT HAVE COME INTO THE STUDIO TO SAY HELLO TO US.
>> INDEED.
WELCOME, LADIES.
AND HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF YOUR PARTNERS IN CRIME.
AS THEY LOOK AT BIG BEN.
HOW WAS THE PERFORMANCE FOR YOU TODAY WALKING THROUGH THIS WHOLE ROUTE?
>> IT WAS AMAZING.
SO MUCH FUN.
>> A LOT OF ENERGY.
I LOVE THE CROWDS.
>> WAS IT WHAT YOU EXPECTED?
WHAT WERE THE SURPRISES?
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE.
A LOT MORE PEOPLE.
>> YES.
IT WAS VERY BIG.
A LOT OF HAPPY PEOPLE.
>> YOU GUYS ARE A COLLABORATION, RIGHT?
SO, YOU’RE NOT ALL FROM THE EXACT SAME PART OF THE STATE.
YOU ALL COME TOGETHER AND LEARN.
AND YOU ARE BRANCHING OUT.
>> YES.
WE STARTED IN LOUISIANA.
NOW WE HAVE GONE TO MISSISSIPPI.
>> THAT’S EXCITING.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET TO GET TOGETHER.
DO YOU DO A LOT OF IT REMOTELY?
>> WE DO PRACTICES RIGHT NOW, EVERY WEEK, UNTIL MARDI GRAS SEASON.
OTHERWISE, IT’S LIKE TWICE A MONTH.
WE ALWAYS HAVE POPUP CLASSES, AND DIFFERENT EVENTS WE GO TO.
>> HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO MARDI GRAS?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
YOU SHOULD COME AND FIND OUT.
>> THAT’S EXACTLY RIGHT.
I THINK THAT’S AN INVITATION, IF I EVER HEARD ONE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> WHAT ABOUT 2026?
WHAT’S COMING UP FOR YOU IN THE NEXT YEAR?
>> WE HAVE GOT ALL OF OUR MARDI GRAS PARADES COMING UP, AND WE’LL ROLL INTO THE DIFFERENT HOLIDAYS, FOURTH OF JULY, HALLOWEEN, CHRISTMAS.
AND THEN BACK INTO 2027, AND STARTS AGAIN.
START ALL OVER AGAIN.
>> THERE’S ALWAYS A HOLIDAY AROUND THE CORNER THAT NEEDS SOME DANCING.
AM I RIGHT, LADIES?
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY US WHO THOUGHT ABOUT 2027 IN 2026, BUT NOW I HEAR IT’S YOU, TOO.
IT WORRIES.
THERE YOU GO.
>> LADIES, WE’RE SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOUR ENTIRE GROUP HERE.
HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
HERE’S TO 2026.
WE KNOW YOU’RE GOING TO KEEP DANCING THROUGH IT, RIGHT?
>> OH YES, ABSOLUTELY.
>> THROUGH HELL OR HIGH WATER, BOB, THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, LOUISIANA.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
BACK INTO THE PERFORMANCE AREA FOR ANOTHER BAND, THE NORTH FORSYTH MARCHING BAND UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RAY THOMAS.
♪ >> THAT WAS GREAT.
BEETLE MUSIC THERE FROM THE NORTH FORSYTH HIGH SCHOOL RAIDER BAND.
THEY PLAYED A GOOD RENDITION OF HEY JUDE, AND A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS.
>> I LOVE THOSE WERE THEIR CHOICES, BECAUSE THEY DO EVERYTHING FROM ROCK AND HIP HOP TO OPERA AND CLASSICAL.
THEY CHOSE SOMETHING VERY BRITISH FOR TODAY.
>> I THINK THAT WAS GOOD OF THEM.
KEEPING UP ON THE THEME WE SEEM TO HAVE STARTED.
>> THAT’S RIGHT.
>> THEY HAVE BEEN WITH US BEFORE, I HOPE THEY WILL BE WITH US AGAIN.
THE QUEENS HORSES, WHICH WILL -- I THINK THEY ARE DOING THEIR 13th PARADE WITH US.
13th OR 14th PARADE THIS YEAR.
THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT SUPPORTERS OF LONDON PARADE OVER THE YEARS AND EVERYBODY LOVES TO SEE THE HORSES COMING OUT.
I MEAN, OCCASIONALLY PEOPLE SAY WELL, YOU SHOULDN’T BE USING HORSES AS ENTERTAINING, BUT THE HORSES, I AM GUARANTEED BY THE OWNERS OF THE HORSES, THEY ACTUALLY LOVE BEING HERE.
>> I THINK THEY HAVE A REAL SENSE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT GOING ON AND THAT THEY ARE PART OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT.
I THINK HORSES CAN ABSOLUTELY PICK UP ON THAT.
WE HAVE HORSES, WE HAVE DONKEYS, WE HAVE DINOSAURS.
>> YEAH.
>> WE HAVE DRAGONS, AND WE HAVE LIONS, PROBABLY, SOMEWHERE LURKING ABOUT.
>> WE’VE HAD MARCHING TIGERS.
WE’VE GOT IT ALL.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> I DIDN’T KNOW THE KING WANTED TO BE HERE.
NOBODY TOLD US.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING.
WE MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENDANCE.
>> AND THE QUEEN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
>> THAT SEEMS TO BE PART OF THE LONDON BOROUGH.
WHICH SEEMS TO BE A WONDERFUL COLLECTION OF VETERAN AND VINTAGE CARS, BRITISH VINTAGE AND VETERAN CARS.
>> OH, I LOVE THAT.
>> WAY BACK.
AT THE BEGINNING OF TIME.
AND BRITISH MADE CAR.
AND A ROVER 2,000.
ANYWAY.
>> BARNETT IS A FANTASTIC PLACE TO TAKE A DRIVE.
SO MANY BEAUTIFUL GREEN SPACES THAT THEY OFFER THERE.
>> OH YEAH.
UP IN THE TOP END OF NORTH LONDON.
>> 200 PARKS.
>> ARE THERE REALLY?
>> YES.
>> BACK TO THE BEGINNING.
BACK TO THE ARCH, AND I’M TRYING TO WORK OUT WHAT IS COMING THROUGH.
I KNOW WHAT THAT IS.
THAT MAY BE THE GREATEST TOY STORY IN THE WORLD.
>> I THINK IT IS.
>> THE GREATEST IN LONDON.
I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN GOING.
IT’S BEEN GOING AN AWFUL LONG TIME.
THAT’S ABSOLUTELY FOR SURE.
AND THEY ARE PROMOTING THEIR TEDDY BEARS THIS YEAR.
NOW THIS IS AN ACT THAT WHEN WE GET THEM INTO THE ARENA, WE’LL ENJOY.
AMERICA’S ALL-STAR CLOGGERS.
WHICH TO ME IS A MIXTURE OF TAP AND IRISH DANCE.
>> IT IS VERY MUCH LIKE TAP DANCING, ISN’T IT?
♪ ♪ >> THERE WE ARE, TREATED TO AN IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE FROM THE AMERICA’S ALL-STAR CLOGGERS.
THE GROUP LEADER WILL BE TOTALLY HAPPY THE FACT HE GOT AN EXTRA PERFORMANCE.
AND THEY ARE GREAT FUN.
WE ENJOY SEEING THEM.
>> NOT ONE FACE WITHOUT A GIANT SMILE.
>> NOW WE HAVE THE COMPETITION.
NOW WE’VE GOT THE PALM BEACH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL RAM REGIMENT BAND.
THE ONE THAT WILL MATCH THE JONESBORO GROUP FOR ENERGY.
I’M SURE THEY SHALL.
COME FROM A FEW HUNDRED MILES SOUTH THAN THE JONESBORO GUYS.
SO, THEY ARE USED TO ALL THE CLIMBS.
NEVER MIND, HERE THEY GO.
♪ ♪ >> THE PALM BEACH REGIMENT BAND.
THEY WERE PRETTY GOOD, WEREN’T THEY?
>> THEY WERE FANTASTIC.
>> THEY ARE PLAYING A TRIBUTE TO THE GODFATHER OF SOUL, JAMES BROWN.
MAKING THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE HERE AT HERE AT LONDON PARADE.
OFF THEY GO WITH MUCH FANFARE.
WHAT A TERRIFIC GROUP THEY WERE.
LIVED UP TO THEIR BILLING AS WELL.
>> I WAS DANCING IN MY SEAT.
>> I BET YOU WERE.
>> AND BIG SHOUTOUT THERE TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE BAND, JOSH, WHO PUT TOGETHER A TERRIFICALLY GOOD SHOW.
HE IS TRAVELING WITH ABOUT HALF OF HIS NORMAL FULL-SIZE BAND, SO TO BE ABLE TO PUT THAT TOGETHER SO WELL, SUCH A COMPLEX PERFORMANCE.
THAT’S A GREAT TRIBUTE.
JOSH, WELL DONE.
EXCELLENT.
>> AND THE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CROWD.
THE ENGAMEMENT WITH EACH OTHER IS REALLY ENVYABLE.
YOU SEE THESE ARE ALL, THEY ARE ALL INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS AS WELL AS COLLECTIVE.
AND THAT’S VERY SATISFYING, I THINK.
>> AS YOU SAID BEFORE, DAISY, UNDER THE SHADOW OF ELIZABETH TOWER, OF COURSE.
THE BIG BEN, AND THE CLOCK TOWER.
BUT EVERYBODY THINKS HE IS BIG BEN.
AND IT IS BIG BEN FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.
AND WHAT A PLACE TO FINISH UNDER.
REALLY.
>> >> AMAZING CROWDS THERE ON REGENT STREET ST.
JAMES.
YOU CAN SEE THEM MAKING THEIR WAY TO WATERLOO PLACE AND INTO TRAFALGAR SQUARE BEFORE COMPLETING THE FINAL PART OF THE ROUTE IN PARLIAMENT STREET.
THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COME OUT TO SEE PEOPLE LIKE THAT.
PEOPLE LIKE THE CHEERLEADERS.
THE VARSITY SPIRIT CHEERLEADERS WHO WILL BE GIVING THEIR BRILLIANT DISPLAYS TO US VERY, VERY SOON.
BUT, AS THE DRUMMERS MOVE AWAY FROM OUR ARENA, WE’LL HAVE ANOTHER MARCHING BAND FROM FLORIDA.
ANOTHER ONE FROM FLORIDA.
THESE GUYS HAVE THE RIGHT ATTIRE FOR LONDON.
EVEN THOUGH THEY CAME FROM FLORIDA.
I BET THEY DON’T WEAR THOSE IN FLORIDA.
>> I BET YOU’RE RIGHT.
>> ALL THE SCARVES FOR THAT MATTER.
THIS IS A FIRST TIME, .
♪ ♪ >> WE HAVE THE BLUE MARCHING BAND, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JEREMY, WHO ARRANGED THE MUSIC THAT YOU JUST HEARD.
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE MEDLEY.
AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY OUT OF THE ARENA, IT’S TIME TO SEE WHAT THOSE TWO PEOPLE, WONDERFUL, JOE AND SHWAZEY, WHAT IS GOING ON UP THERE?
WHO DO YOU HAVE FOR US THIS TIME?
>> THIS RED BUS.
>> WE’RE ON THE 23 BUS.
WE HITCHED A RIDE.
>> I KNOW.
I’VE SEEN EVERYTHING SO FAR HERE AT THE PARADE.
WE HAD A DINOSAUR.
>> YES.
WHAT ELSE HAVE WE HAD?
THE BANDS HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLE.
THE KANGAROO JUMPS.
THIS IS MY FAVORITE WAY OF DOING IT.
HITCHING A RIDE, BACK OF THE BUS, COULDN’T BE BETTER.
>> THANK YOU.
ACTUALLY, THIS IS A NOTE TO THE PRODUCER.
WILL YOU TAKE A RECORDING OF THAT?
THAT WAS JOE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
THAT IS A SIGHT THAT HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BEFORE.
SO, JUST MAKE SURE.
>> ENDANGERED IN THE WILD.
>> HERE’S THOSE CHEERLEADERS WAITING TO GET ON VERY, VERY SOON.
HERE THEY ARE.
HOLD YOUR BREATH, DAISY.
IT IS STUNTSHOWS UK.
>> EVERY STUNT HAS BEEN BIGGER AND BIGGER.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THEY ARE ABOUT TO DO BEHIND US NOW.
>> I DON’T WANT TO BE THAT PERSON.
THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT.
>> DO YOU THINK THEY DRAW STRAWS FOR THAT SPOT?
>> I DON’T KNOW.
OF COURSE, WE’VE SEEN STUNT SHOWS UK HERE AT LONDON PARADE MANY TIMES BEFORE.
WE NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.
IT’S ALWAYS QUITE A SURPRISE.
THEY WILL HAVE A BIG JUMP NOW.
YUP.
THEY HAVE NOTHING ON THEM.
STUNT SHOWS UK, THEY ARE A MOTORCYCLE DISPLAY TEAM LED BY TONY BRANDON BAILEY.
THEY HAVE 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
THE BIGGEST ONE THEY DO IS LONDON PARADE EVERY YEAR.
AND SO FAR, SO GOOD.
MANY YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT.
STUNT SHOWS UK.
>> AND INDEED, WITH HALF A MILLION PEOPLE LINING THE STREETS HERE IN LONDON, AND MILLIONS MORE WATCHING ALL OVER THE WORLD.
IT’S A BIG AUDIENCE.
>> YEAH.
IT’S BEST NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.
MOUNT HOREB HIGH SCHOOL BAND FROM WISCONSIN.
THEY ARE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF KELLEN.
I HAVE HIS NAME SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE.
I’LL GET TO IT IN JUST A MOMENT.
KELLEN DORNER.
THEY ARE JUST MAKING THEIR WAY AROUND PICCADILLY CIRCUS.
QUITE A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE CHEERING THEM ON.
>> I’LL SAY.
ANOTHER ONE OF THESE, THE MOUNT HOREB GROUP.
ANOTHER HIGH ENERGY GROUP.
YOU’LL SEE SOMETHING QUITE REMARKABLE.
THERE’S OUR FIRST GROUP, FIRST MARCHING BAND GROUP WE HAD FROM THE STATE OF OREGON.
AND ALWAYS QUITE DELIGHTED THAT WE GET A NEW STATE TO COME IN.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S OREGON.
THE WINE IS SO GOOD.
IT GIVES AN EXCUSE TO VISIT.
>> OREGON WINE IS FANTASTIC.
I WAS EXCITED TO SEE ANOTHER WEST COAST BAND.
YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF THOSE TO COME.
A COUPLE OF THOSE TO COME.
YOU HAVE A WASHINGTON GROUP AND A CALIFORNIA GROUP.
>> WE CERTAINLY DO.
>> WE’RE COVERING THE RANGE.
>> THE WHOLE PACIFIC COAST, WELL DONE.
>> OFF THEY GO.
LIVING TO FIGHT ANOTHER YEAR.
WE CAN STILL SEE THERE, THEY ARE COMING INTO THE ARENA TO GIVE THEIR KEYNOTE PERFORMANCE FOR THE CAMERAS.
KING CHARLES, SITTING UP THERE.
REMEMBER HIM?
>> INDEED.
AND I THINK YOU’RE RIGHT, BOB, I THINK THE CROWDS ARE ACTUALLY GROWING.
>> I THINK THEY ARE, ACTUALLY, YEAH.
>> WE HAVE SOME LATE AFTERNOON SUNSHINE.
PERFECT DAY TO BE OUT CELEBRATING 2026.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU, TOO, DAISY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> AND INDEED, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LONDON PARADE.
>> IT’S GETTING NEAR HAPPY NEW YEAR, NOT TOO FAR OFF.
>> IT’S GOOD.
>> WE’VE HAD IT ALREADY.
>> 8:00 THIS MORNING, THE WEST COAST.
HIT MIDNIGHT.
MY PHONE STARTED BLOWING UP, OF COURSE.
>> HERE THEY ARE.
HERE THEY ARE.
SPIRIT CHEERLEADERS, ALWAYS THE BIGGEST CROWD PLEASERS, QUITE HONESTLY.
THEY ARE THE CREAM OF THE CROP.
THE PICK OF THOSE WHO GO TO SUMMER CAMP EVERY YEAR AND THEY GET SELECTED TO COME TO LONDON AND FORM THE VARSITY CHEERLEADERS.
>> ELITE GROUP OF CHEERLEADERS.
>> VERY MUCH SO.
WE CHOSE THEM, THEY GAVE US A FEW POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT THEY COULD PLAY.
AND WE CHOSE THIS ONE.
♪ ♪ >> THERE WE HAVE THEM.
THE VARSITY SPIRIT ALL-AMERICAN CHEERLEADERS AND DANCERS FROM ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
BRILLIANTLY BY PATRICK, LAND OF A THOUSAND DANCES.
COMPOSED BY FREDDIE MERCURY.
>> AS YOU SAID EARLIER, THESE KIDS ONLY MET EACH OTHER A FEW DAYS AGO AND WAS IT ONE REHEARSAL?
>> ONE TWO HOUR REHEARSAL ON THE 30th OF DECEMBER.
SO, REALLY QUITE AMAZING.
AND YOU KNOW, GREAT, GREAT THANKS TO THE PEOPLE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE PROVIDED CHEERLEADERS BY THE DOZEN FOR LONDON PARADE FOR AS I SAID, 37 YEARS WORTH OF CHEER.
AND CHEER IS WHAT THEY BRING TO ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY.
>> NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
>> WE CAN SEE IT RIGHT THERE.
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> I KIND OF GET THE IMPRESSION THEY LIKE LONDON, THEY’RE HAVING FUN.
>> I HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT LONDON LOVES THEM RIGHT BACK.
>> NO QUESTION WHATSOEVER.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> AND THEY HAVE BEEN CHEERING THROUGH THIS WHOLE ROUTE.
>> OH YEAH.
>> AND THEY ARE STILL GOING.
>> THEY WOULD HAVE CHEERED PROBABLY SEVEN TIMES ALL TOGETHER.
THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH THAT ROUTINE.
AND ACTUALLY, POSSIBLY A LITTLE BIT OUT OF BREATH, BUT WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THEM JUST COMING HERE TO HAVE A CHAT TO YOU, DAISY.
YOU CAN FIND OUT HOW THEY DO IT NOW, AS IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW.
>> GIRLS, WELCOME.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
THANKS FOR HAVING US.
>> HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
ARE YOU FEELING -- YOU LOOK LIKE ROSY CHEEKS AND HAPPY AND FULL OF FRESH AIR.
>> A LITTLE COLD.
I’M SO HAPPY.
THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN.
SO EXCITING.
>> TELL ME SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING PARTS FOR YOU, AS YOU CAME DOWN THE ROUTE.
>> I THINK IT WAS WALKING AND SEEING PEOPLE SMILES WHEN YOU WAVE AT THEM.
THEY SMILED BACK AT US.
>> THEY ARE SO EXCITED AND THEIR EXCITEMENT MADE ME SO EXCITED.
>> IT FEEDS ITSELF, DOESN’T IT?
>> DEFINITELY.
>> DO YOU HAVE FAMILY WITH YOU ON THIS TRIP?
>> YES, WE BOTH DO.
>> DID YOU SEE THEM ALONG THE ROUTE?
>> YES, THAT’S GREAT.
>> I WAS WATCHING THEM.
>> IT IS PRETTY EMOTIONAL, BECAUSE YOU COME HALF WAY ACROSS THE WORLD.
YOU BROUGHT SOME FAMILY, YOU ARE MAKING NEW FRIENDS.
YOU ARE WITH SOME OLD FRIENDS.
IT’S A PRETTY SPECIAL MIXTURE.
>> DEFINITELY ONCE IN A LIFETIME.
>> SO GREAT.
AND WHAT YEAR ARE YOU GOING INTO OR WHAT YEAR ARE YOU IN RIGHT NOW?
>> I’M A SENIOR.
>> I’M A JUNIOR.
>> THIS IS YOUR LAST YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL.
IT MAKES IT MORE SPECIAL.
>> IT’S SO SPECIAL.
>> WILL YOU CONTINUE TO CHEER IN COLLEGE, DO YOU THINK?
>> I HOPE SO.
>> AND YOU’LL CONTINUE INTO YOUR SENIOR YEAR NEXT YEAR?
>> YES, DEFINITELY.
>> TELL ME, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN PREP AND THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY YOU PUT OUT?
>> FOR A PARADE, YOU NEED TO HAVE A LOT MORE ENERGY, A LOT MORE EYE CONTACT WITH THE CROWD, GET THEM ENGAGED.
THEY ARE SO HAPPY.
LIKE YOU SAID, IT FEEDS OFF YOU.
IT’S REALLY FUN.
>> I THINK IT’S DIFFERENT AND THE ENERGY, TOO.
AT A FOOTBALL GAME, IT IS STUDENTS THERE, WATCHING FOOTBALL.
BUT HERE, THEY ARE HERE TO SEE THE PEOPLE IN THE PARADE.
THEY ARE HERE TO SEE US.
THAT’S A BIG DIFFERENCE AS WELL.
>> IT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.
YOU’RE THE STAR OF THE SHOW.
YOU’RE NOT POINTING TO THE ATHLETES.
YOU’RE POINTING TO YOURSELVES AND HAVING A GREAT TIME.
TELL ME A COUPLE HIGHLIGHTS YOU’VE HAD JUST BEING IN LONDON FOR NEW YEAR’S.
>> I THINK EXPLORING THE CITY WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS, AND I GOT TO MEET A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE, INCLUDING HER, WHICH HAS BEEN SO AMAZING.
>> YEAH, BEING ABLE TO SEE THE HISTORY AND THE REFERENCE EVERYBODY HAS FOR THEIR COUNTRY IS AMAZING AND BEING ABLE TO MAKE NEW FRIEND, LIKE HARPER AND ME, IT HAS BEEN SO GREAT.
>> YOU ARE STARTING THE YEAR ALREADY ON A HIGH.
MAKING NEW FRIENDS.
YOU’LL KEEP IN TOUCH WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THE STATES?
>> I’M FROM MISSOURI.
>> COLORADO.
>> NOT EXACTLY, YOU KNOW, I’LL JUST POP DOWN THE BLOCK AND SAY HI.
THANKSTO SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGY, YOU CAN FACETIME AND SEE EACH OTHER AND REMAIN FRIENDS.
>> YES.
>> I LOVE THAT.
GOING INTO A NEW YEAR WITH A BRAND-NEW FRIEND AND WITH SUCH A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.
AS YOU SAY.
THE CROWD GIVING BACK TO YOU.
THE CROWD YELLING HAPPY NEW YEAR.
AND GETTING TO SEE ALL OF THESE OTHER ACTS AS WELL OF MUSICIANS AND DRAGONS AND DINOSAURS, OH MY.
>> YES.
IT’S BEEN SO AMAZING.
>> GIRLS, YOU’VE BEEN AMAZING.
THANK YOU FOR COMING ALL OF THIS WAY.
THANKS TO YOUR FAMILIES FOR SUPPORTING YOU AND KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING.
YOU’RE BRINGING SO MANY SMILES.
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO START THE YEAR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE.
BRILLIANT.
THANK YOU.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> HERE WE HAVE CARNAVAL DEL PUEBLO.
THEY ARE NOW COMING THROUGH THE PERFORMANCE ARENA.
LOOK AT THOSE AMAZING COSTUMES.
THEY MAKE THOSE.
WELL, ACTUALLY, THEY GET SENT TO THE CENTRAL AMERICA TO GET THEM MADE, BUT MANY OF THEM ARE MADE HERE.
WE HAVE GROUPS FROM COSTA RICA.
WE HAVE GROUPS FROM ECUADOR.
AND ALL OF THEM COMING TOGETHER IN FRIENDSHIP AND ENTERTAINING PEOPLE AT THE LONDON PARADE.
>> IT’S THAT EXTRA ATTENTION TO DETAIL, ISN’T IT, BOB?
THE CARING IS UNPRECEDENTED.
>> THEY ARE REALLY VERY SPECTACULAR.
THEY DO LIKE THE LIMELIGHT.
THEY ARE WORTH IT.
SO THERE WE GO.
CARNAVAL DEL PUEBLO.
THEY PULL THESE GROUPS FROM THE LATIN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE SPECTACULAR.
>>> NOW COMING INTO THE ARENA.
WE HAVE ANOTHER AMAZING MARCHING BAND FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IT’S THE BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL PRIDE MARCHING BAND.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST MARCHING BANDS WE HAVE EVER HAD HERE IN LONDON.
ABSOLUTELY SPLENDID.
MAGNIFICENT UNIFORMS.
♪ ♪ >> THE BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL PRIDE MARCHING BAND, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF KENNY HANSON WITH THEIR MELODY OF UPTOWN FUNK AND PINK PONY CLUB.
NOW, THEY WERE AN AMAZING BAND, BUT I BET YOU THAT SWAZEY AND JOE HAVE SOMETHING EQUALLY AMAZING UP THEIR SLEEVE.
LET’S SEE WHERE THEY ARE NOW AND WHO THEY HAVE.
WHERE ARE YOU?
>> OKAY.
SO SWAZEY IS THE BRAVE ONE HERE, AS YOU CAN TELL.
OFF ON YOUR RIGHT.
OFF YOU GO.
>> OH MY GOSH.
OKAY, JOE.
IT’S NOT AS BAD AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, SIR.
>> WOW.
I TELL YOU WHAT, WOW, THAT IS QUITE SOMETHING.
I DIDN’T EXPECT YOU TO GO UP ON TWO WHEELS.
I’M ABSOLUTELY LOVING THAT.
EQUALLY DELIGHTED I’M NOT ON THE BACK THERE.
THIS IS BRILLIANT.
THIS IS AMAZING.
SWAZEY, I CAN ONLY STAND HERE AND TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YOU.
THIS IS INCREDIBLE.
I’M JUST REALLY RELIEVED NOT TO BE ON THE BACK OF THAT.
THESE GUYS ARE AMAZING.
MOTOSHOWS INTERNATIONAL.
THEY ARE INCREDIBLE AND WE LOVE HAVING THEM.
>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS, SWAZEY, YOU WERE VERY, VERY BRAVE.
JOE, WHAT ON EFFORT ARE YOU LETTING THE LADY DO THAT AND STANDING THERE POTENTIALLY -- NEVER MIND, WELL DONE.
THAT WAS BRILLIANT.
AND NOW, AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
WE GAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A HINT ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BE COMING UP.
THE MAYOR IS LOOKING A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HE MIGHT BE ABOUT TO SEE.
BUT LET’S SEE WHAT IT IS, ACTUALLY, GOING TO BE.
COULD IT BE THAT OUR EARLIER FRIEND WHO VISITED, ADAM LYONS, IS GOING TO BE DOING SOMETHING.
LET’S SEE.
>> I CAN’T WAIT.
>> BEFORE I DANCE FOR YOU, I WANTED TO SEND YOU THIS MESSAGE.
I HOPE THIS YEAR BRINGS YOU SO MUCH JOY.
NEVER BE AFRAID TO BE WHO YOU TRULY ARE, AND NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
EVERY MASK, THERE MIGHT BE A DIVA WHO WANTS TO DANCE AND MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY.
YOUR MAN IN FINANCE.
>> I’M LOOKING FOR A MAN IN FINANCE.
6’5", BLUE EYES, FINANCE, 6’5", I’M LOOKING FOR A MAN IN FINANCE.
♪ 6’5", BLUE EYES, FINANCE.
6’5".
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> WE COULD DESCRIBE EVERYTHING WITH ONE SINGLE WORD.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> OH, THERE WE GO.
LONDON PARADE WITH ADAM LYONS.
WEREN’T THEY AS GOOD AS ADAM INDICATED THEY MIGHT BE?
AND THEY’RE NOT FINISHED.
THERE YOU GO.
♪ >> LOOK AT THAT.
>> AREN’T THEY TERRIFIC?
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
YOU’RE AS GOOD AS YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD BE.
AND OF COURSE, THERE THEY WERE, CELEBRATING OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY.
SO, GREAT STUFF, ADAM, AND THE GUYS, BRILLIANT SHOW.
YOU MUST BE EXHAUSTED.
SOMETHING TO KEEP WARM OUT THERE.
>> THAT’S THEIR CARDIO FOR JANUARY.
>> I RECKON THAT WAS A FANTASTIC ACT.
THEY WERE REALLY GOOD.
AND ON WE GO NOW WITH ANOTHER MARCHING BAND.
NOW THIS ONE IS A RECORD BREAKER.
THIS ONE IS MAKING ITS 10th APPEARANCE AT LONDON PARADE.
THIS IS THE WEST PRIDE MARCHING BAND.
JAZZ BAND IS NOT HERE, BUT THE JAZZ BAND IS WITH THEM.
THEY ARE APPEARING IN THE PARADE, BUT THEY ARE APPEARING IN CONCERT WITH US.
THIS BAND IS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DR.
BILL THOMAS.
BROUGHT THEM FIVE OR SIX TIMES IN THE PAST.
BUT THE PREVIOUS APPEARANCES.
HERE WE GO.
♪ >> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> THERE WE GO.
THE WEST PRIDE MARCHING BAND.
OVERLAND PARK, IN KANSAS.
MAKING THEIR 10th APPEARANCE IN THE LONDON PARADE.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 11th IF NOT FOR COVID AS WELL.
>> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NONETHELESS.
>> TEN IS GREAT.
SO APPROPRIATE THAT WE HAVE OUR LONGEST SERVING BAND HERE FOR OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY PARADE.
>> SOMETHING TELLS ME THEY WILL GET TO 11.
>> THAT WAS REALLY QUITE AMAZING.
LOOK AT THOSE CROWDS THERE, DAISY.
ANYWAY.
LET’S GO SEE WHO IS IN THE THICK OF THE CROWDS AND I HOPE SHE’S HAD SOME SEDATIVE OR SOMETHING.
SHAME ON YOU FOR PUTTING HER ON THAT BIKE.
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU.
WHERE ARE YOU?
>> OKAY, WE’RE IN LONDON, BUT WE ARE REALLY IN TEXAS.
WE HAVE SONIA, RYDER, AND JEFF, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU.
>> THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME AT THE LONDON PARADE.
>> YES.
>> WOW.
THIS IS THE BEST TIME.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, FIRST TIME OF MANY, I HOPE.
WHAT ARE YOU ENJOYING MOST?
>> OH MAN.
THIS WHOLE THING IS AWESOME.
IT’S HUGE.
IT’S GREAT.
>> HOPEFULLY YOU’LL BE BACK MANY, MANY MORE TIMES.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE THING SO FAR?
SOMETHING THAT STOOD OUT TO YOU?
>> JUST ALL THE DIFFERENT CULTURES AND DIFFERENT REPRESENTATIONS THIS YEAR.
AND SEEING THE DIFFERENT STATES REPRESENTED IN THE PARADE HAS BEEN AWESOME.
>> HONESTLY, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING.
WE’LL SEE YOU SOON.
BYE.
>> ALL THE WAY FROM TEXAS.
>> DID THEY BRIEF THEM ON WHAT TO SAY?
THEY SAID ALL THE RIGHT THINGS.
>> THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE TALK ABOUT.
THE WORLD COMES TO LONDON.
SOME ARE FIRST TIMERS.
SOME ARE REPEAT OFFENDERS AS WE LIKE TO CALL THEM.
BUT EVERYONE COMING TO LONDON TO CELEBRATE THE BRAND-NEW YEAR AND OUR DEAR FRIENDS THERE, OUR NEW FRIENDS FROM TEXAS.
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FRIEND.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIRL.
>> THAT WAS A QUICK GLIMPSE OF MERCER ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL FROM UP THERE, IT’S AN ISLAND, BY SEATTLE.
>> INDEED.
>> IN WASHINGTON STATE.
THEY HAVE COME ONCE BEFORE TO THE PARADE IN LONDON.
GREAT PERFORMANCE.
REALLY ACCOMPLISHED MARCHING BAND.
THEY WILL BE THE FINALE.
AMERICAN MARCHING BAND THIS YEAR THAT WE’RE GOING TO SEE.
AND LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE LONDON’S CHINATOWN AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MAGNIFICENT DRAGONS THAT THEY ALWAYS HAVE FOR THEIR CELEBRATIONS IN THE NEW YEAR AND WE’LL BE SEEING THEM AGAIN.
WHAT IS THE NEXT YEAR?
>> THE YEAR OF THE HORSE.
THEY HAD A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY IN THE SKY OF HORSES AS MIDNIGHT HIT IN CHINA.
AND WE CAN HEAR THOSE SPECTACULAR CHINESE DRUMS AS WELL AS THEY GO PAST THE STUDIO.
>> THEY CERTAINLY DO MAKE AN INCREDIBLE COLORFUL ACT.
WHAT ARE THEY?
ARE THEY DRAGONS?
>> I THINK THEY MIGHT BE DRAGONS OR LIONS.
MAYBE LION HEADS.
THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL, THE CARING THAT GOES ON.
THESE AREN’T JUST THROWN TOGETHER THE NIGHT BEFORE, FOLKS.
THIS IS THE CULMINATION OF A YEAR, GETTING READY FOR A NEW YEAR.
>> AND ONE OF THE LONDON CHINATOWN CHINESE ASSOCIATION CROWN JEWELS THIS YEAR, THE DRAGON AND LION TOWNS GROUP WHO ARE PLAYING A STARRING ROLE IN THE PARADE.
NOW WE’RE SEEING OTHER MEMBERS OF THE LONDON CHINATOWN CHINESE ASSOCIATION.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HERE IN LONDON, WHICH AS WE SAY, WILL BE AROUND FEBRUARY 10, I THINK SOMETIME.
>> SOMEWHERE RIGHT AROUND THERE.
AND THE ASSOCIATION ITSELF HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE LATE 70s.
SO, A MINUTE OR TWO.
>> QUITE A LONG TIME.
>> ONLY BARELY.
ONLY BARELY.
>> SOME OF THE LAST BANDS NOW MAKING THAT TURN DOWN INTO WHITEHALL.
AND I THINK THERE’S ABOUT, OH, MAYBE HALF A DOZEN ACTS TO COME BEHIND THEM.
WE’RE MOVING INTO THE LAST HOUR OF LONDON PARADE 40th ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL VIEW UP WHITEHALL.
WHAT YOU’RE SEEING NOW IS THE ONLY ACCOMPLISHED BRITISH BAND THAT IS IN THE -- THE ONLY BRITISH BAND.
IT IS A VERY ACCOMPLISHED BAND FROM THE IRON OF WHITE.
MEDINA BAND.
THEY HAVE WON LOTS OF AWARDS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THEM IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE IN THE ARENA DOWN HERE.
MEANWHILE, WE HAVE ALL THE KINGS HORSES BEGINNING TO PASS THROUGH THE ARENA NOW.
THEY HAVE BEEN EVER PRESENT.
WE SAW THEM A LOT AS THEY CAME ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE.
THEY GOT SLIGHTLY DETOURED, I’M TOLD.
SO THEY ARE COMING LATER IN THE SCHEDULE THAN THEY WERE MEANT TO.
I’M SURE EVERYBODY IS GOING TO ENJOY SEEING ALL THE PONIES WITH THE YOUNG SOLDIERS.
BUT LOOK AT ALL OF THE COSTUME AND THE DRESS AND THE ATTIRE.
NOT JUST FOR THE RIDERS, BUT ALSO FOR THE HORSES THEMSELVES.
>> INDEED.
>> I THINK IT BRINGS OUT THE CHILD IN ALL OF US, WHEN WE SEE THE HORSES AND THE DONKEYS.
>> EVERYBODY LOVES RIDING.
>> THIS IS REALLY SPECTACULAR.
>> THOUSANDS OF HORSES MADE THEIR WAY DOWN THIS VERY SPECIAL ROUTE.
>> WHAT WE DO HAVE TO DO, WE HAVE TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO CAROLINE MARSH, WHO REALLY FOUNDED, NOT REALLY, SHE DID FIND ALL THE QUEENS HORSES BACK IN 2012, WHICH WAS LONDON OLYMPIC YEAR.
SHE HAD TAKEN PART IN PREVIOUS PARADES, BUT ALL THE QUEENS HORSES WERE CREATED IN 2012, ESPECIALLY FOR OLYMPIC YEAR, AND TO COME IN TO THE PARADE AT THE START OF THAT YEAR.
THE FINALE BAND IN THE PARADE THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE THE BRASS BAND, THAT HAS BEEN EVER PRESENT IN THE PARADE.
PROBABLY FOR 25 YEARS NOW.
THEY ARE A BRILLIANT BAND, WHICH I KNOW, VERY TRADITIONAL BRASS BAND THAT I KNOW EVERYBODY IS GOING TO ENJOY ENORMOUSLY AT THE VERY END OF THE PARADE, GIVEN THE GRAND FINALE PERFORMANCE.
I THINK THIS MUST BE THE MERCER ISLAND BAND, THAT WE CAN SEE THERE.
SEND A REALLY GOOD PICTURE.
>> IT REALLY IS.
>> THE COLORS, IT REALLY IS VERY IMPRESSIVE INDEED.
IT IS MERCER ISLAND.
THERE WE GO.
THEY ARE, AS I SAID, THEY ARE THE BAND, THE LAST AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND AND THEY ARE MAKING THAT TURN NOW PRETTY MUCH ON SCHEDULE, AS THEY SHOULD IN WATERLOO PLACE, TO COME INTO TRAFALGAR SQUARE.
HEARING THEIR EXCELLENT MUSIC IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.
THEY ARE ANOTHER GROUP THAT PERFORMED IN CULVERT GARDEN A FEW DAYS AGO, AND THEY WOWED THE CROWD THERE.
>> NOW, AS THE SUN BEGINS TO GO DOWN.
THE LIGHTS COME UP.
EVERYTHING LOOKS EVEN BETTER AND MORE FANTASTIC THAN IT DID BEFORE.
WE HAVE A PERFORMANCE FROM THE GLENN CO MARCHING BAND.
THE FIRST MARCHING BAND WE’VE EVER HAD.
♪ ♪ [ APPLAUSE ] >> THE GLENCOE MARCHING TIDE, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BENJAMIN ADAMS, ALL THE WAY FROM THE NORTHWEST COAST OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, OREGON, FIRST BAND EVER PLAYING STILL BREATHING.
MAKING THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE, BUT I DO VERY MUCH HOPE NOT THEIR LAST.
QUICK GLIMPSE OF THOSE AMAZING CLOGGERS WE WERE SEEING EARLIER, GIVING THAT IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE FURTHER UP THE PARADE ROUTE.
THEY WILL BE COMING INTO THE FINALE AREA AND GIVING THE SHOW ALL OVER AGAIN.
>> WE’LL BE SEEING AND HEARING THEM.
THOSE TAPS, THOSE SHOES.
>> DRILLS INTO YOU.
IN A NICE WAY.
THAT COMBINATION OF TAP AND IRISH FOLK DANCING IS AMAZING.
THERE’S AERFUL PICTURE OF THE WONDERFUL -- THEY REALLY DO LOOK SMART.
>> THE PRECISION.
EVEN WHEN THEY ARE STANDING STILL.
LOOK AT THE PRECISION.
>> THEY MUST BE HELD UP THERE BEFORE THEY CAN GO AROUND THE CORNER, I SUSPECT.
CERTAINLY MAKING THE MOST OF THEIR TIME.
THAT’S A GOOD WAY OF MARCHING TIME, I WOULD VENTURE TO SUGGEST.
>> WE JUST SAW THERE AT THE BOTTOM OF REGENT STREET.
THE BEAUTIFUL ANGELS SUSPENDED IN THE LIGHTS.
>> IT WASN’T CHRISTMAS LONG AGO.
>> A WEEK AGO.
>> EXACTLY.
>> AMERICAN CLOGGERS, CLOGGING ALL-STARS, GETTING READY TO GIVE THEIR PERFORMANCE THERE.
THEY WILL BE ON FAIRLY SOON.
AS SOON AS THE LONDON BOROUGH.
THERE IS THE MOUNT HOREB MARCHING BAND FROM WISCONSIN.
THEY WILL BE GIVING, I KNOW, AN INCREDIBLELY ENERGETIC PERFORMANCE IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.
BEHIND THE CLOGGERS, YOU SEE HAMLEYS BUS.
THE TOY STORY ON REGENT STREET, THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS, I THINK.
>> THAT’S RIGHT.
ORIGINALLY CALLED THE JOY IMPORIUM.
WHICH IS A PRETTY DESCRIPTIVE NAME FOR HAMLEYS.
>> I DIDN’T KNOW THAT.
>> YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY, BOB.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DAISY.
SO, HERE WE SEE THE LONDON BOROUGH OF CAMDEN.
THE LONDON BOROUGHS COMPETITION THIS YEAR.
UNITING AND TWIRLING THE MAJORETTE ASSOCIATION.
THERE’S MORE THAN 80 OF THEM DOWN THERE.
I HAVEN’T SEEN ONE BATON DROPPED YET.
THAT’S QUITE SOMETHING.
>> AND COVERING MANY GENERATIONS OF PERFORMERS, WHICH I LOVE TO SEE.
>> I NOTICE, IT IS GOOD TO SEE.
>> THERE’S AN ICONIC FIGURE OF BRITAIN, AND INDEED, PERU.
>> WHO ON EARTH COULD THAT BE?
IT’S A BEAR.
WHICH BEAR IS THAT?
I KNOW.
IS THAT THE ONE THAT EATS MARMALADE SANDWICHES?
>> I THINK IT IS.
>> NOW I KNOW, YEAH.
OH, THERE’S A NEW STATE SHOW, ISN’T THERE?
EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL.
SHOWING AT THE THEATER RIGHT NOW, PADDINGTON.
AND I GOT A FEELING MY GRANDDAUGHTER REALLY WANTS TO GO AND SEE IT.
ANYWAY.
>> I HAVE A FEELING SHE MIGHT GET HER WAY.
>> SHE GENERALLY DOES.
SHE PROBABLY WILL ON THIS OCCASION AS WELL.
THE AMERICAN, OR AMERICA’S CLOGGING ALL-STARS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RYAN AND MARCEY RICKARD, WHO ARE CHAMPION CLOGGERS AND HAVE DEVELOPED THE ART OF CLOGGING IN THE SOUTHEAST OF THE UNITED STATES.
♪ ♪ [ APPLAUSE ] >> THERE YOU GO, AMERICA’S CLOGGING ALL-STARS.
FANTASTIC SHOW.
BEAUTIFUL LY CHOREOGRAHED.
>> I LOVE ANYTHING THAT IS BASED ON RHYTHM.
I WOULDN’T WANT TO LIVE IN AN APARTMENT BELOW THEM.
THAT WOULD BE MY ONLY THING.
>> YOU HAVE A GOOD POINT.
THAT WAS GET READY BY PITBULL.
AND BLAKE SHELTON.
BRIAN RICKARD, DIRECTOR.
IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR.
ALL OF THE KIDS ARE INVOLVED AND THEY ALL ARE CHAMPION CLOGGERS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.
AND DON’T THEY LOOK TERRIFIC.
>> FANTASTIC.
>> I THINK EIGHT DIFFERENT STATES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, REPRESENTING IN THIS GROUP.
>> REPRESENTING OVER 27 TEAMS, AND OVER 425 CLOGGERS.
THAT’S 850 FEET.
>> I WOULD SAY THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE FOR THAT NUMBER OF GROUPS COMING TOGETHER TO PUT A PIECE TOGETHER.
WELL DONE.
ABSOLUTELY SUPERB.
>> SUPERMAN, TOO.
NOTICE THE TEDDY BEARS.
THAT’S WHAT THEY WANT EVERYBODY TO SEE TODAY AND WHAT THEY WOULD LOVE EVERYBODY TO GO AND BUY, HAMLEYS TEDDY BEARS.
A BIT OF ENCOURAGEMENT.
SUPPORT HAMLEYS.
>> HAMLEYS HAVE BEEN GOING SINCE 1760.
>> HERE WE HAVE COMING INTO THE ARENA, ONE OF THE SUPER MARCHING BANDS FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR, LED BY THE SUPREMELY ENERGETIC, KELLEN.
THIS IS FROM WISCONSIN.
THEY ARE GOING TO MOVE AROUND A BIT TO KEEP WARM.
THIS IS GOING TO BE NOTHING UNUSUAL.
>> THIS IS BALMY WEATHER FOR WISCONSIN.
THIS IS THE MARCHING BAND, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF KELLEN AND DOMINICK.
THEY WILL PLAY.
BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> THERE WE ARE.
THE MOUNT HOREB MARCHING BAND.
AND URN THE DIRECTION OF KELLEN, AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY OFF.
THEY HAVE BEEN FREQUENT VISITORS TO LONDON PARADE OVER THE YEARS.
DO HOPE THEY WILL BE COMING BACK VERY, VERY SOON.
SO AS IT GETS DARKER OUT THERE.
AS WE REACH OR GET TOWARDS THE END.
STILL 40 MINUTES TO GO.
OF LONDON PARADE, 40th EDITION, 2026.
I AM EXTREMELY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO WELCOME TO THE STUDIO HERE, ALONGSIDE ME, A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF LONDON PARADE AND INDEED, AN ENORMOUS SUPPORTER OF THE BAND MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
SOMEBODY WHO EVERYBODY IN AMERICA KNOWS, DR.
TIM.
>> THANKS FOR INVITING ME TO BE HERE.
THIS IS GREAT, AS ALWAYS.
>> TIM, I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY PARADES YOU HAVE BEEN TO.
HOW DOES THIS RATE AMONG THOSE THAT YOU HAVE SEEN?
>> I THINK THE 40th IS THE BIGGEST HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER, DON’T YOU?
>> I THINK SO.
WE ENJOYED OURSELVES.
EVEN THOUGH IT’S CHILLY.
I MEAN, THIS LAST THREE HOURS HAVE POSITIVELY FLOWN BY.
TELL ME, WHAT IS THE VALUE OF LONDON PARADE TO THESE BANDS THAT COME OVER HERE AND PERFORM FOR US?
>> OH, IT’S INCREDIBLE.
IT’S THE CHECKOFF POINT.
IT’S WHAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO.
MUSICALLY, BRINGING THE WORLD TOGETHER.
COMMON DENOMINATOR.
LEARNING THE HISTORY.
AND AS YOU SAY, IT’S THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, RIGHT?
>> ABSOLUTELY SO, YEAH.
YOU KNOW, THE QUALITY OF BANDS THAT WE’RE GETTING TO COME HERE NOW IN LONDON.
YOU HAVE SEEN IT OVER THE YEARS.
IT SEEMS TO ME TO HAVE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED.
>> IT’S MAGNIFICENT THE DIFFERENCE.
IT CONTINUES EACH YEAR TO JUMP HIGHER AND HIGHER AND IN THE STATES, THAT’S WHAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO.
THAT’S ONE OF THE THINGS TO DO IN THEIR CAREERS IS TO BRING THE BAND TO LONDON.
>> HOW DO WE RANK NOW?
YOU’VE GOT A PRETTY BIG PARADE AND GOOD ONES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
HOW DO WE RANK ALONGSIDE MACY’S OR THE ROSE PARADE, FOR EXAMPLE?
ARE WE EQUAL?
>> YOU’RE PART OF THE GOLD STANDARD.
YOU CERTAINLY ARE.
>> TIM, I THINK WE’LL HAVE ANOTHER LOOK AT A BAND NOW.
WOULD YOU STAY WITH ME AND WE CAN JUST TALK ABOUT THIS BAND A LITTLE BIT AFTERWARDS.
♪ ♪ >> THERE THEY GO.
THE DEER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND.
AND UNDER THE DIRECTION, WHO TOOK OVER THE BAND A SHORT WHILE AGO.
AND I THINK HE’S DONE A REMARKABLE JOB OF GETTING THEM OUT HERE TO LONDON TO PERFORM AS WELL AS THEY DID.
THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE BEEN.
I HOPE THEY WILL BE BACK AGAIN.
TIM, YOU’RE A PROFESSIONAL.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THAT PERFORMANCE?
>> I THINK IT’S GREAT.
FOR THEM TO DO THAT THIS TIME OF YEAR, WHEN OUR SEASON IS OVER WITH, BUT PUTTING A BAND TOGETHER FOR THIS.
GOT TO FEEL GREAT ABOUT THAT.
>> THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ALL OF THESE KID, THE PERFORMANCE IS FANTASTIC.
COMING HERE AND SEEING SUCH A HUGE CROWD, REALLY, REALLY ENJOY THEM.
REALLY, IN LIFETIME TERMS, THE EXPERIENCE IS MORE THAN THAT, ISN’T IT?
>> OH, IT’S THE PROCESS.
IT’S THE WORK TO GET HERE.
THE DISCIPLINE.
THAT CONVERTS TO EVERY OTHER PART OF LIFE AND THAT’S WHY THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW ARE IN OUR BANDS TODAY.
>> TIM, THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.
THANK YOU.
>>> ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, WHAT DO WE HAVE HAPPENING IN FRONT OF US?
♪ ♪ ♪ >> THAT’S A TERRIFIC GROUP FROM CALIFORNIA.
WHO ARE THEY, DAISY?
>> FROM MY HOME STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
FROM ORANGE COUNTY, IN FACT, TRABUCO HILLS HIGH SCHOOL.
THE THUNDERING MUSTANGS, DOING THINGS THE MUSTANG WAY.
AS THEIR WEBSITE PROUDLY SAYS.
>> THEY ARE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BRAD.
BRAD HAS BEEN TO LONDON PARADE BEFORE, BUT WITH HIS PREVIOUS SCHOOL.
I MUST SAY, BRAD, I THINK YOU HAVE DONE AN EVEN BETTER JOB THIS TIME AROUND WITH TRABUCO HILLS.
THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THAT.
DIDN’T THEY DO IT WELL.
>> THEY SURE DID.
WELCOME TO LONDON, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
>> JUST BEGINNING TO SEE COME THROUGH THE ARENA NOW, THE LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING.
HAVE A GOOD RECORD IN THE PARADE.
THEY WON MANY PRIZES, MANY TIMES.
THEY HAVE GONE TO TOWN WITH THIS FLOAT.
AND PANTEMINE.
WELL KNOWN IN THE U.S., IT?
>> OH NO, WE DON’T.
YES.
INDEED, HE’S BEHIND YOU.
>> WE COULD INDEED.
>> NOBODY WOULD KNOW WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT IN AMERICA.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT, AMERICANS, LOOK IT UP.
IT’S AN AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION, USUALLY OF A FAIRY TAIL.
AND MY GOODNESS, IS IT FUN.
YOU ENJOY IT AS A KID.
ENJOY IT MORE AS AN ADULT, I WOULD SAY.
>> ANYWAY, THERE WE GO.
THAT’S THE LONDON HAVERING, AND THEY HAVE, AS I SAID, YOU KNOW, PERFORM VERY WELL IN LONDON PARADE IN THE PAST.
THIS IS AN IMPRESSIVE FLOAT AND I’M PRETTY SURE THEY WILL BE UP THERE AMONG THE HIGH SCORING BOROUGHS THIS TIME AROUND.
BUT AS I SAY, I HAVE SEEN SO MANY GOOD BOROUGHS TODAY.
I’M GIVING UP GUESSING.
>> BETTER THAN EVER.
>> YEAH.
YEAH.
YEAH.
NOW, ANOTHER AMERICAN MARCHING BAND.
ONLY ONE MORE FROM THE UNITED STATES, AND THE BRITT ONE AS I PROMISED.
THIS IS THE WICHITA FALLS ISD.
THAT MEANS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT MARCHING BAND.
IT IS ANOTHER ONE OF THESE GROUPS THAT IS TWO SCHOOLS COMBINED.
>> INDEED.
>> THIS IS THE LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL AND MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF LOWE.
THE AFOREMENTIONED, MICHAEL, THE SECOND MENTIONED.
OR THE LATTER MENTIONED.
THEY CAME BEFORE, WICHITA FALLS DID, BUT NOT THE TWO SCHOOLS.
THEY ARE NOW ABOUT TO PERFORM FOR US, AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT’S GOING TO BE.
PROBABLY A TEXAS MEDLEY.
THERE THEY ARE.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> WELL, WE WERE RIGHT ABOUT THE TEXAS MEDLEY.
I WAS CLAPPING ALONG, DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS.
THAT WAS FUN.
>> YOU WERE PERFECT TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OF COURSE YOU WERE.
>> MY FAMILY WOULD DISOWN ME, BOB.
>> DOESN’T THIS LOOK ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT?
THE SUN IS GONE NOW.
THE LIGHTS COME UP ON THE PERFORMANCE ARENA HERE, JUST DOWN BY WHITEHALL.
OF COURSE, THEY HAVE ALL THE RIGHT COLORS.
THE REDS, WHITES, AND BLUES.
THEY ARE SPARKLING AND LOOKING SO HAPPY.
THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.
NOW THEY ARE GOING TO GO PAST THE STATUE.
AND GIVE THEM A THUMBS UP.
WHAT A FAB GROUP.
EVERYBODY ELSE AT THE WICHITA FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SO, ANYWAY.
WE’RE GOING TO GO AND SEE JOE AND SWAZEY, WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
>> WE THINK THE FORMER EMPLOYEES -RS IS WITH US THIS YEAR, AT THE LONDON PARADE.
HOW ARE YOU?
>> AREN’T THEY FANTASTIC?
HUGE CROWD OUT TODAY.
IT’S AMAZING.
>> IT IS BRILLIANT.
ONE ICONIC THING.
BIG BEND.
STORM TROOPERS, AMAZING.
HOW MUCH FUN ARE YOU HAVING?
>> I’M HAVING AN AMAZING TIME.
SO MANY PEOPLE HERE.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
FANTASTIC.
>> ARE WE CELEBRATING 40 YEARS, SO, WHAT IS YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION FOR 2026?
>> TO BE BETTER.
TO BE BETTER AT EVERYTHING.
>> OKAY.
>> I LIKE THAT.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> THANK YOU.
YOU LOOK LIKE YOU’RE HAVING FUN THERE ACTUALLY WITH ALL THAT CROWD.
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THEM DOWN HERE, AS WE SAY GOOD-BYE TO YOU FOR A FEW MOMENTS.
I’M SURE WE’LL SEE YOU AGAIN SOON.
WE’RE LOOKING AT THE BAND HERE, MAKING THAT LAST TURN FROM TRAFALGAR SQUARE.
THEY MAKE A TRADITIONAL BRASS BAND SOUND.
YOU’LL ENJOY THAT WHEN THEY GET DOWN HERE INTO THE PERFORMANCE ARENA.
MEANWHILE, I HAVE A GUEST HERE IN THE STUDIO WITH ME WHO I’M VERY, VERY PLEASED TO WELCOME.
JOHN SEAVER, WHO WE’VE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME.
HE’S A FORMER BAND DIRECTOR.
HE’S AN IMPORTANT PERSON IN CHARGE OF SCHOOL MUSIC IN FLORIDA.
AND YOU HAVE AN IMPRESSION, JOHN, OF WHAT THIS IS WORTH TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
WHAT THE VALUE OF THIS IS FOR THEM TO COME AS BANDS PEOPLE TO LONDON.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IT STARTS OFF WITH HAVING THE EXPERIENCE TO PERFORM AND PRESENT THEIR TRADE.
BUT IT’S EXTREMELY EDUCATIONAL.
TRAVEL IS ONE OF THE MOST EDUCATIONAL THINGS THAT ANY YOUNG PERSON CAN DO.
AND WHEN THEY GET THE BUG OF TRAVELING, THEY’LL DO IT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
FOR MANY PEOPLE, I KNOW MY BANDS WHEN THEY TRAVEL OVER HERE, I STILL HEAR FROM THEM ABOUT WHEN THEY WENT TO THE LONDON PARADE.
IT WAS LIFE CHANGING AND I GET DIFFERENT KINDS OF E-MAILS AND NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT HOW THEY TRAVELED THE WORLD SINCE THEN.
>> OKAY.
YOU JUST STAY WITH ME FOR A FEW MINUTES, JOHN.
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THESE DANCERS, THEY ARE FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AND THEY WILL GIVE US A SHOW THAT WILL BE EVERY BIT AS GOOD.
♪ >> THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD.
>> YOU KNOW I LOVE IT.
>> AND THEY WERE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY GOOD.
THEY ARE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
AND I THOUGHT THEY WERE REALLY QUITE EXCEPTIONAL DANCERS.
THAT’S WHAT YOU GET IN TEXAS.
WEREN’T THEY FABULOUS.
>> THE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR DANCING.
>> THE VANDERGRIFT HIGH SCHOOL LEGACIES.
AND COSTUME BEAUTIFULLY.
AND OF COURSE THE LIGHTS REALLY MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO THIS SORT OF ACT.
WHAT A BRILLIANT ACT.
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.
WE HAVE TO HAVE ONE OF THESE ABSOLUTELY EVERY YEAR IN LONDON PARADE.
DO WE NOT?
ANYWAY, MEANWHILE, LET’S JUST GO BACK TO JOHN FOR A SECOND.
JOHN, IF WE MAY, JUST ANOTHER COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
NUMBER ONE IS, I ASK THIS CHEEKILY TO TIM AWHILE BACK.
AND LONDON PARADE, WHERE DOES IT STAND AMONG THE WORLD GREAT PARADES LIKE MACY’S AND ROSE PARADE IN PASADENA?
>> IT’S A WORLD CLASS PARADE.
I MEAN, I TOOK MY GROUP HERE WHEN I WAS A BAND DIRECTOR TWICE.
LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCES.
GREAT PARADE.
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT, GREAT BANDS.
>> NEVER PAID YOU A PENNY FOR THAT, DID I?
>> NOT YET.
WE’LL TALK ABOUT THAT SOME OTHER TIME.
>> IS LONDON A GOOD PLACE TO COME?
>> I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO COMING TO LONDON.
ONE OF THE BEST CITIES.
ONE OF THE KINDEST PEOPLE.
GREAT FOOD.
GREAT LOCATIONS, GREAT HISTORY.
YES.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE COMING TO LONDON.
>> JOHN, THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH INDEED.
AS THE TRIBUTE BAND OF THE SPICE GIRLS PASSES BY US.
EVERYTHING IS HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU, JOHN, VERY MUCH INDEED.
SEE YA.
OFF GO THOSE LEGACIES.
UNDER THE SHADOW OF BIG BEN.
>> WHAT A GREAT SHOT.
LOOK AT THAT.
>> IT’S FABULOUS, ISN’T IT?
>> THE SKY BEHIND.
ACTUALLY IN CONCERT WITH THE POM POMS.
LOVELY SKY.
>> THAT BAND GETTING MOODY SHOTS FROM THE PARADE ROUTE MADE IT INTO THE PERFORMANCE ARENA.
AND THEY LOOK EVEN BETTER DOWN HERE.
>> DON’T THEY?
>> THIS IS, OF COURSE, THIS IS OF COURSE THE MERCER ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CARL THOMPSON.
LET’S HEAR THEM PLAY FOR US.
♪ >> THERE WE ARE.
MERCER ISLAND.
OF COURSE, THAT IS TREMENDOUSLY, MORE OF THESE AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BANDS, BUT IT’S THE EFFORT OF THE PARENTS TO RAISE THE MONEY, SUPPORT THE KIDS THROUGH ALL THOSE MONTHS AND MONTHS OF PRACTICE AND LATE NIGHTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD AND GOODNESS KNOWS WHAT ELSE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
LIKE YOU SAID, THIS IS ALL ABOUT FAMILY AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER, THESE ARE KIDS.
>> THEY ARE INDEED.
>> THESE ARE KIDS.
THEY WOULDN’T BE HERE WITHOUT THE LOVE OF THEIR FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITIES, FRIENDS.
ALL OF IT.
>> ANYTHING BETWEEN 14 AND 18 YEARS OF AGE.
>> AND LOCAL BUSINESSES, YOU KNOW, GET INVOLVED AND THEN THEY ARE EMOTIONALLY IN IT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THE MARCHING BAND, TERRIFIC BAND.
THE LAST OF OUR AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BANDS PERFORMING IN LONDON’S NEW YEAR’S DAY PARADE, OR THE LONDON PARADE, 40th EDITION, 2026.
THEY PERFORMED, OF COURSE, AS I KNEW YOU RECOGNIZED.
ELTON JOHN NUMBER.
>> AND LOOK AT THAT FOR AN ANNIVERSARY SHOT, BOB.
>> IT’S A LOVELY NIGHT SKY.
YOU WOULDN’T THINK IT WAS A NIGHT SKY.
>> IT’S A PERFECT SUNSET.
>> A LOVELY SUNSET.
HERE WE HAVE THE HEROS FOR CHARITY.
YOU SAW SWAZEY AND JOE WITH SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP.
EVERYTHING IS IN HERE IN HEROS FOR CHARITY.
THEY HAVE THE LOVE BUG THERE.
THEY HAVE TROTTERS, YOU KNOW, FROM TROTTERS AND TRADERS.
RELY ON ROBIN, BUT THERE’S ONLY ONE THING WRONG WITH THAT.
IT’S ACTUALLY GOING.
>> IT SHOULDN’T BE RUNNING.
IT SHOULDN’T BE RUNNING.
OUT OF CHARACTERT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THEY RAISED SO MUCH MONEY FOR CHARITY, IT’S UNBELIEVABLE.
IS THAT FROM BEETLE JUICE?
>> EXACTLY.
DON’T SAY IT TOO MANY TIMES.
>> NO.
>> A GHOSTBUSTERS CADILLAC IN HERE AS WELL.
I HAVEN’T SPOTTED THAT YET.
THERE IT IS.
AND THAT IS APPARENTLY THE REAL ONE.
>> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT OVER FROM SONY STUDIOS SOME TIME AGO.
>> THEY BOUGHT IT AND RESTORED AND BRING IT OUT.
GOOD FOR THEM.
>> IF THE PARADE DOES GET HAUNTED, WE HAVE SOME GHOSTBUSTERS RIGHT THERE.
SO THERE WE GO.
>> THE HEROS FOR CHARITY, AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN -- >> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BOB, REALLY.
>> MR.
PARADE.
SIR PARADES A LOT.
>> YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU PRACTICE THAT AWHILE BACK, I WAS SO EMBARRASSED.
I’M EVEN MORE SO NOW.
>> I SAY IT WITH LOVE.
>> OKAY, I’LL LET YOU.
>> WE WOULDN’T BE HERE IF IT WASN’T FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND THE EFFORTS OF JOE, AND ALL OF YOU.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.
>> THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN PUTTING THIS THING ON.
BUT IT IS, IT HAS BEEN A FANTASTIC SHOW SO FAR.
AND STILL ANOTHER 17 MINUTES TO GO AND WE’RE GOING TO GET TO SEE SAM RYDER, WHO IS OUR HEADLINE ACT THIS YEAR.
HE’LL BE COMING TOWARDS US PRETTY SOON NOW.
WE’VE GOT A FEW THINGS BEFORE THAT, BUT WE’RE GOING TO GET SAM INTO THE ARENA IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.
>> AND EVERYTHING IS BEGINNING TO SPARKLE NOW.
WITH THE LIGHTS.
AND THAT’S THE BAND.
ALTHOUGH I’M TOLD IT HAS COME OFFSET, AND WE’RE GOING TO HAVE SAM RYDER ACTUALLY AS THE GRAND, GRAND, GRAND FINALE.
SO WILL BE THE ULTIMATE ACT IN THE PARADE THIS YEAR.
CERTAINLY IS LOOKING RATHER WONDERFUL UNDER LIGHT, I MUST SAY.
NOW THIS IS THE MOBILE STAGE THAT CARRIES OUR HEADLINER.
SAM RYDER.
YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF YOUR SCREEN THERE.
WE’LL GET A MUCH BETTER LOOK OF IT IN A SHORT WHILE, I’M SURE.
AS THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COME UP OVER REGENT STREETS AND JAMES.
IT REALLY IS QUITE MYSTICAL.
QUITE LOVELY.
>> I ALWAYS TELL MY FRIENDS IN AMERICA THAT LONDON TURNS INTO A SPARKLING JEWELRY BOX AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
WITH ALL OF THE LIGHTS.
IT’S TRULY, TRULY MAGICAL TO BE HERE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.
>> A VERY ACCURATE DESCRIPTION.
WE HAVE NOW COMING THROUGH THE ARENA, WE HAVE THE FI ESTA GROUP.
A VIBRANT PROCESSION OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE PHILAPINO COMMUNITY IS SIMILAR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR CULTURE AND OUR SOCIETY HERE IN LONDON.
VERY, VERY HARD WORKERS AND VERY TALENTED PEOPLE.
INTEGRAL PART OF THE NEW YEAR’S DAY CELEBRATIONS.
HERE IN LONDON.
THEY WILL BE CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY THE LAST OF THE LONDON BOROUGH ENTRIES THIS YEAR.
WHICH COMES FROM THE LONDON BOROUGH OF REDBRIDGE.
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL VIEW OF NELSON’S COLUMN.
AND TRAFALGAR SQUARE AT THE CENTER OF LONDON.
>> THEY ARE CERTAINLY ENJOYING THEMSELVES.
THE PARADE DRAWS TO A CLOSE.
STILL A COUPLE OF PRETTY IMPRESSIVE ACTS TO COME, THOUGH.
>> AND PEOPLE ARE STICKING AROUND FOR THEM.
I’LL TELL YOU.
AS YOU SAID, THE CROWDS HAVE BEEN GROWING AS THE AFTERNOON HAS GONE ON.
AND NOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET TO SEE THE STREETS OF LONDON LIGHT UP FROM BELOW.
>> EXACTLY SO.
AS WE LOOK DOWN THE PARADE ROUTE THERE, WE CAN SEE THE MEDINA BAND COMING UP BEHIND THE RED BRIDGE FLOAT THERE.
THEY WILL BE PAUSING TO PLAY FOR US BRIEFLY IN THE ARENA BEFORE LONDON SCHOOL OF SAMBA.
FOLLOW THEM THROUGH, AND THEN THE BAND LEADING IN THE STAR OF THE SHOW, THAT IS SAM RYDER.
THERE WE SEE SAM RYDER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
SAM RYDER.
MADE IT INTO THE ARENA.
AND IS PERFORMING.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> WHAT ON EARTH CAN YOU SAY TO THAT?
WHAT DO YOU SAY, DAISY?
>> THE MOST FOLLOWED ARTIST ON TIKTOK.
HE GIVES IT ALL TO THE CROWD.
>> WHAT A PHENOMENAL PERFORMANCE, SAM RYDER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING OUR HEADLINE ACT ON LONDON PARADE, 40th ANNIVERSARY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, SAM RYDER, AND GOOD LUCK CAN EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS THIS YEAR.
ESPECIALLY YOUR SHOW.
ANYTHING YOU DO, YOU’LL BE FANTASTIC, AS FAR AS WE’RE CONCERNED.
THANK YOU, SAM RYDER.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE IN THE WARM?
SWAZEY AND JOE, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT?
>> IT’S LOVELY.
>> WE’RE TRYING TO RECOVER.
AMAZING.
AND ABSOLUTE TROOPER.
DID YOU SEE THE MOTORBIKES?
>> DID WE SEE THE MOTORBIKES?
>> I’LL HAVE TO HAVE WORDS, JOE, FANCY PUTTING THE LADY ON THE MOTORBIKE.
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU.
>> WHAT CAN I SAY?
OLD AGE CAN DO IT.
>> I THINK I STREAMED ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
>> YOU ACTUALLY DID.
>> I THINK MY FAVORITE, WHEN YOUR EYES WERE CLOSED TIGHTLY IN TERROR.
>> I DIDN’T EXPECT THEM TO DO THAT, AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY WETTING MYSELF.
AND THINKING, I’M REALLY GLAD -- >> I’LL JUST DRIVE AROUND IN A LITTLE LOOP.
>> HOLD ON, GUYS, I WANT TO GIVE A MENTION TO THE ACTS THAT ARE COMING UP HERE.
WE’RE JUST ABOUT TO GET THE, WELL, I THINK IT IS THE MEDINA BAND.
WHICH HAS PASSED THROUGH THE ARENA.
THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING GREAT ENTERTAINMENT ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE.
A TALENTED BRITISH BAND.
SO MANY, SO MANY GOOD THINGS WE’VE HAD IN THE PARADE THIS YEAR.
AND IT IS JUST ABOUT COME TO THE END, IN ABOUT FIVE OR SIX MINUTES, WE’RE GOING TO BE SAYING, THAT’S IT FOR LONDON PARADE 40th ANNIVERSARY.
SO I SUPPOSE THE QUESTION IS, LET’S START WITH DAISY.
HOW WAS IT FOR YOU?
>> I’M ALWAYS LIVING MY BEST LIFE CELEBRATING NEW YEAR’S DAY WITH YOU GUYS.
AS ALWAYS, I ENJOYED THE BANDS THAT I’VE GOTTEN TO KNOW OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND THE DIFFERENT BOROUGHS THAT I’VE THE GOTTEN TO KNOW.
EQUALLY, THE NEWCOMERS.
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING.
STUFF LIKE THAT.
OH BOY.
AND HOW EXCITING TO WELCOME OREGON IN THE UNITED STATES INTO THE LONDON PARADE.
IT IS JUST BEEN FANTASTIC AND FLOWN BY MORE ME.
>> JUST A QUICK WORD.
WE HAVE THE LAST OF THE LONDON BOROUGHS.
THERE’S THE MAYOR WHO HAS BEEN TAKING PART IN HIS ENTRY RIGHT THROUGH THE PARADE ROUTE.
THEY ARE THE LAST OF THE TEN BOROUGHS FIGHTING IT OUT FOR THE ENORMOUS CHARITY CASH PRIZES THAT ARE ON FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND GIVE RESULTS OUT ON THE 9th OF JANUARY.
SO IT’S A BIT LATE THIS YEAR.
THAT’S JUST THE WAY IT HAS TO BE.
BUT, THEY HAVE BEEN SO GOOD.
EVERYBODY IS A WINNER AS WE HAVE GOTTEN ALONG.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHO WILL WIN THE THING.
WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU?
>> OH MY GOSH, WHERE DO WE BEGIN?
IT’S BEEN A FULL ON DAY.
>> IT HAS.
IT REALLY HAS.
I’M GOING TO PUT MY CARDS ON THE TABLE.
I LOVE THE DONKEYS.
>> THE DONKEYS WERE GOOD.
THE DONKEYS WERE VERY CUTE.
YOUR NIECE WAS IN THE PARADE THIS YEAR.
>> WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO SEE MIA ON THE PONY.
>> I MISSED MY GRANDDAUGHTER.
OH NO, NEVER MIND.
OKAY.
>> SHE WAS GREAT.
SHE WAS GREAT.
AND HER DAD WAS ENJOYING EVERY MOMENT OF LEADING HER THROUGH THE PARADE.
>> ALL RIGHT, OKAY, FINE.
HALF IMAGINING THAT.
I UNDERSTAND WE’RE GOING TO GET A MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCE IN A MOMENT.
I THINK WE’RE STILL SEEING RED BRIDGE GO THROUGH.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT THIS HAS TO DO.
THAT WAS ALL GOOD FUN.
SO, THOSE WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS, GUYS.
I THINK WE’RE GOING TO BE -- OH NO, WE HAVE A FEW MORE MINUTES TO CHAT.
THIS IS LOVELY FOR YOU TO SEE THIS GO THROUGH HERE.
WE HAVE HAD AN ABSOLUTE BALL WATCHING THIS AFTERNOON.
I TELL YOU, SOMETIMES WE KNOW NOT REALLY WHAT’S COMING NEXT, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, BUT MADE IT ALL THE MORE EXCITING.
BUT WE HAVE SEEN SOME ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT PERFORMANCES WANT IT’S WONDERFUL TO SEE HEATHER.
SOME OF THE AMERICAN MARCHING BANDS WERE QUITE SIMPLY PHENOMENAL THIS YEAR.
AND THE SIZE OF THEM.
MIND BOGGLING.
THEN THOSE CLOGGERS, YOU KNOW, THEY REALLY GOT US.
IT WAS AL REALLY, REALLY GOOD.
ANYWAY, WHAT DO YOU SAY?
ARE WE GOING TO DO ANOTHER ONE?
>> I THINK WE SHOULD DO ANOTHER 40.
>> I THINK SO.
>> SPEAK FOR YOURSELF.
YOU MIGHT MAKE ANOTHER 40.
I’M NOT SURE I’LL GET THERE.
>> I LOVE THE WAY YOU THINK, JOE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURES, THE MEDINA MARCHING BAND.
ONE OF THE BEST MARCHING BANDS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, WHO REPRESENTED OUR COUNTRY, REALLY, REALLY WELL.
MY GOODNESS, THEY HAD SOME TOUGH COMPETITION FROM THE UNITED STATES, AND IN FACT, FROM ALL ACROSS THE WORLD THIS YEAR.
THE MEDINA MARCHING BAND FROM THE ISLE OF WHITE.
THAT MAKES THEM GOOD.
SO, WHAT ELSE DO WE HAVE COMING THROUGH HERE NOW?
WE HAVE -- COME ON DAISY.
>> THE SCHOOL OF SAMBA.
I THINK THIS MIGHT BE OUR SCHOOL OF SAMBA, JUDGING BY THE COSTUMES.
AND THEN FAK-E IN THE GREEN AND WHITE.
>> LONDON SCHOOL OF SAMBA HAVE BEEN GREAT FRIENDS OF THE PARADE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
I BET THEY ARE REVELING IN THE FACT THEY ARE UNDER LIGHTS.
DON’T YOU THINK SO?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
YES.
WE SAW THEIR COSTUMES GETTING READY.
>> WE DID.
WE HAD A LITTLE BTS MOMENT.
>> IT WAS QUITE A PROCEDURE.
A LOT OF CREDIT AND WORK THAT GOES INTO GETTING THOSE COSTUMES ON.
>> GETTING THEM ON AND THROUGH THE DOOR.
>> OKAY.
LET ME JUST SAY THIS.
THAT I THINK WE ARE JUST ABOUT TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO EVERYBODY IN THE U.S.A.
SO LET’S SAY BYE TO EVERYBODY IN AMERICA.
JOE, DAISY, BYE, EVERYBODY.
>> BYE.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
♪ ♪ ♪IT’S TIME FOR THE LONDON PARADE.
LET’S COME TOGETHER, UNITED WE WILL STAND.
IT’S NOW OR NEVER, WE’RE REACHING OUT A HAND.
LET’S COME TOGETHER, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE.
CUZ WE’RE ALL INVITED, LONDON UNITED.
OH ♪ YES, WE’RE ALL EXCITED AND LONDON UNIT
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