Bob: Hello and happy new year.

I have Bob Bone.

Welcome to the London New Year's Day parade 2024.

♪ Rachel: ♪ clap your hands and stomp your feet We keep moving to this brand-new beat we can teach you how Nothing can stop us now We are here Everyone stand clear We are too hot to handle It is time for London's New Year's Day parade Let's come together United we will stand It is now or never Let's come together No matter who you are We are all invited London United Whoa oh oh We are all excited London United Whoa oh oh We are all invited London United ♪ >> Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Rachael O'Connor singing the brand-new London New Year's Day anthem, "London United."

That is our official start.

Bob: That is the parade underway with the Talladega College Great Tornado Band from Alabama leading the way.

As with everyone taking part in the parade, they will now be making their way along pick agility -- along Piccadilly and through the streets of historic London passing landmarks before arriving at the finale area at Westminster.

Daisy: Iconic landmarks indeed.

As they reach pick agility, the end of Piccadilly Circus, famous for its bright lights and the statue of arrows -- the statue of Eros.

They will then head down Regency dreams to Waterloo Palace.

Bob: They goal they -- they go down the street before arriving at trial Parker square, the column of one of our most see Lords, Admiral Horatio Nelson standing 163 feet up there overlooking Trafalgar Square.

After that they go all the way down past horse guards Parade, past number 10 Downing Street, the home of our Prime Minister, the war memorial to our ward did come and then they end up at the bottom of Parliament Street.

Adjacent to Parliament Square, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the Supreme Court.

What a phenomenal route these groups will be following today through London.

Daisy: No question about it.

The amount of things packed into this route is incredible for the eyes, for the ears, for the people on the street.

The streets are packed.

Happy New Year.

Bob: A fantastic audience for the parade which one can expect because the weather is so beautiful.

A little chilly.

Daisy: I brought a little California sunshine for you.

Bob: This tele-take is magnificent.

I am looking forward to seeing their keynote performance in the performance arena in about half an hour.

Daisy: They have been thrilled to come over here.

It has been life-changing for the students.

It is the trip of a lifetime.

Here they are.

180 strong.

Bob: It is not very often London sees this sort of thing on its streets.

It is quite magnificent.

Behind the Talledega band, you will see the ceremonial and historic part of London's new year parade, which is three horse-drawn carriage is which carry three sets of dignitaries of such great importance to our civic life in London and London's New Year's Day parade.

More about them in a while.

Now Talladega, one of the finest bands from the United States of America and certainly one of the loudest.

Will be finding out about that as well.

They performed a warm-up show Saturday to much acclaim.

They were terrific.

Daisy: You can see all of these young musicians walking in this historical city and there's so much music for them to enjoy while they are here.

It is a you scratch my back and I scratch yours with London.

Bob: We are getting a look at those historic carriages carrying the dignitaries.

In the first one you have the first citizen of those city of Westminster, the Lord Mayor of Westminster who this year is Patricia McAllister, traveling with family members.

In the second carriage we have a representation of the Lord Lieutenant of greater London.

The Lord Lieutenant is an official position appointed by the monarch to represent the monarch whenever the monarch himself is not able to be present at any event.

Carriage two has a representative from the Lord Lieutenant and the third carriage carries the chairman of the London mayors Association and the deputy speaker of the House of Commons.

More about that later.

Following those carriages we have more ceremony.

On one of the wonderful sightseeing buses, on top of that bus you will find a host of London civic mayors.

I that we have 24 boroughs out of the 31 represented.

They are all up there in their civic finery of red robes, badges, chains.

It is quite something to see.

Daisy: It is packed.

Joe and Swarzy are down on the ground.

Let's see what is going in.

Swarzy: There are costumes, there are trucks, there is parade.

Joe: Childhood fantasy, Chesney.

Swarzy: Chesney as well.

Joe: I am so excited.

That was my song growing up and he is right here.

Swarzy: He is right in front of us.

I am excited.

Joe: It is going to be amazing.

Steph: You are having fun -- Daisy: You are having fun down there.

Here comes some cheerleaders.

I think we might later on be meeting a cheerleader which will be quite fun.

These cheerleaders come from varsity spirit organization, the biggest cheerleading organization across United States of America and their representatives of every single state of the union.

Daisy: This is not just one high school or a couple high schools, this is an amalgamation of a bunch of high schools coming together and cheering because we are joyful.

We want to cheer on New Year's Day.

Bob: We are getting a look at our first high school marching band, another Alabama band.

I have to be on to Arkansas soon.

This is the Huntsville high school marching band, the first time ever in London and they will be a terrific band.

We have had two bands from Alabama at the head of our parade.

Daisy: We have bands from all over the United States and all over the world.

The world goes to London on New Year's Day.

Isn't that right?

Bob: That is absently correct.

Look at those crowds.

It is quite fantastic.

Daisy: It is joyful.

There is no better way to start the year.

Happy 2024 to everyone watching on television and on streaming.

This is where the world celebrates New Year's Day.

Bob: Every single one of these bands will be featured when they get to the performance area at the bottom of Whitehall stop they will all get to perform a specially rehearsed number for two minutes so you will get to see the bands doing what they do very well indeed.

Daisy: In the meantime they are delighting the crowd along the route the entire way and seeing all of these iconic landmarks of London at the same time.

Bob: Anyway, that is a good look at Huntsville.

Let's go back to Joe and Swarzy because they caught up with Talladega College at the beginning of the parade.

How are you doing?

Joe: Talladega College great tornado marching band.

Swarzy: How are you doing?

>> Feeling great, nice weather.

Swarzy: You guys sound amazing.

How is everyone feeling?

>> A little groggy but we are excited.

Joe: I heard a rumor that you performed at Covington Gardens.

>> It was amazing.

We loved it.

It was very engaging.

Kind of impromptu.

Joe: Are you set for the big performance?

>> Geared up and ready to go.

Swarzy: Thank you so much.

Bob: Thank you indeed.

They are a terrific band, are they?

We are seeing a mayor there.

Meanwhile I have a very special guest.

We thought it would be quite interesting to hear the opinion of someone who has done this parade before with a huge marching band.

Nobody better as far as we are concerned than Jon Sever, who is the supervisor of music for Hillsborough County schools in Florida.

Previously you are a band director but now you have this hugely elevated position.

Congratulations on that.

Last year you came to London with the Bloomingdale high school marching band.

You took part in the parade.

I like to think you enjoyed it.

What was the experience like?

Jon: This is the second time we had done the parade.

The first time we had just over 322 people come.

It was life-changing for the kids and parents and the community that we just had to come back.

The weather was good last year, the band was excellent, the parents had a great time.

People of London have always been so kind.

Bob: That was going to be my next question.

It is doll -- it is not all about the performing.

It is about the band kids becoming Londoners for a week.

Do they date -- do they get a good welcome?

Joe: It is a seven-day trip and we have two days of performing.

Understanding world culture and the travel, they learned so much that they just read about in books back home.

Bob: Would you say it stays with them for a long time?

Jon: Absolutely.

I still get communications from people who went into thousand 11.

Bob: So this is a big deal for the kids?

To they often perform for audiences this size in the states?

Jon: Not this size.

Nowhere near this size.

Bob: Where does this stand in the pantheon of parades you have taken part in?

Is it near the top?

Jon: Not near.

It is number one.

Bob: Thanks for talking to us.

Enjoy your day.

Daisy: You can just see the Eros statue going out of frame.

Look at the beautiful streets of London.

Absolutely packed with people ready to celebrate 2024.

Happy New Year, everybody.

Happy New Year.

Bob: We are looking at pictures of the first band, the Talladega band turning the corner of Piccadilly Circus and down Regent Street St. James, he used to be called lower Regent Street, now it is Regent Street St. James, it sounds much grander.

It is relatively narrow.

There we are looking at Piccadilly Circus.

The statue of Eros.

The carriage of the deputy Lieutenant just starting to move down Regent Street St. James behind the Talladega band.

Daisy: Most Americans watching would think those -- that is a very British look to have the horse and carriage.

It is the thing of fairytales.

I've got news for you.

It is an actual thing in this country.

Look at all of these phones.

Everyone wanting to remember the moments.

The streets are packed.

Bob: We cannot ever worry about the weather in this job because it will be what it is going to be.

There was a certain amount of relief when we discovered will be dry until 4:00 this afternoon.

Daisy: That is another cause for celebration.

Look at these wonderful costumes.

So many people enjoying already.

And now we have the borough of Redbridge.

Each of the boroughs will be represented, each of the boroughs of London.

These are our winners from last year and we can see by.

-- we can see why.

We are selective about the boroughs we let into the parade, they have to submit what they will do.

We take only the best.

We have 10 of the best boroughs coming in.

Redbridge were the winners last year.

Already they were challenging for the top prizes.

Just as a matter of interest, the Tom Price borough will receive 15,000 pounds -- the top prize borough will receive 15,000 pounds.

Daisy: All for charity, all for a wonderful cause.

Joe and Swarzy are there now.

Let's see who they are with.

Joe: We are here.

Huntsville marching band.

Swarzy: They have their routine down to a t. Joe: We were shaking our hips.

These guys are amazing.

We will follow them down the parade route.

Swarzy: Let's go.

Daisy: If you are looking for a street party, you have got it.

Not only with the performers, but everyone on the sides of the streets, people showing up earlier.

You can tell there was joy and celebration.

Bob: Everyone has come out to enjoy themselves, it is tremendously important.

Daisy: That is what today is all about.

Bob: There are so many nationalities represented at the parade.

26 in fact.

We are now looking at dancers from Bolivia.

Daisy: It looks that way.

We have every color of the rainbow, every continent is represented so proudly.

There is something for everyone in the London New Year's Day parade, including an iconic Bobby.

Bob: It is always nice to see a policeman keeping us safe.

The Metropolitan police are a superb organization.

The Metropolitan police service are perhaps the best in the world and making sure that events of this size and scale take place in absolute safety for participants and audiences alike.

Daisy: They work very hard so we can sit back and enjoy.

They're called Bobby's after Sir Robert Peel, who founded the Metropolitan police in 1829.

Bob: There are getting a good look at the drum majors from Talladega making their way down to Waterloo place.

This is not the first time they've have been in Waterloo place today.

They were there first thing this morning.

It was still dark and cold.

They were down putting on a great show for BBC Breakfast.

Daisy: That's right.

They have been working hard since predawn.

The Great Tornado Band.

And that is what it is like to be here.

Bob: Here comes our policeman again.

Daisy: Watching the crowd like the rest of the police.

Looks like they are just in front of the Ritz Hotel.

And like we said earlier, we will see a lot of cheerleaders today.

Bob: We will indeed.

Daisy: From all over the United States.

A lot of these kids have never met each other before this trip.

They have been practicing independently.

They come together across the world.

Bob: That is right.

Phenomenal energy throughout the day.

When they are not performing their choreographed numbers they are chanting, but they work hard.

Daisy: They have been performing their set piece numbers as they proceed around the parade.

It is relentless.

They are cheering all the way.

Bob: If there is anyone in this parade that knows how to keep the audience involved it is certainly cheerleaders.

That is what they do.

They are probably cheering on each of the acts, cheering on themselves and cheering on this wonderful day.

Bob: There go the cheerleaders with the mayor's bus.

Back at the start, you know those vehicles are, the minis?

Daisy: Are those the mini mocs?

Bob: Iconic vehicles.

Great fun.

Daisy: From the tip of Florida, Key West, the Key West marching conchs.

Been doing a lot of fundraising.

A lot of these bands fund raised throughout the year to come over because this is where they want to be.

Bob: Another band, the Parkville high school band.

I hope they're not -- the park Vista high school band.

Will be hearing from them later on with their keynote performance.

A word of explanation.

You can quite often hear one of our Street commentators telling you about what is going on.

You nuclear amongst of the great parade we like to look after our cloud -- our crowd and give them lots of information.

You can hear the announcer succeeding in giving them a bit of information about what they are seeing.

Daisy: Absolutely.

There is Trafalgar Square.

Is there a more iconic Square in the world?

I say no.

Nelson's column proudly in the middle.

The liens.

Everyone comes to -- the li ons.

Comes to Trafalgar Square when they visit London.

To march past these places, what a thrill.

>> Super.

Talladega getting ever closer to the keynote performance in the arena.

They turn the corner.

Let's go and have a chat to Swarzy and Joe at the start of the parade route and see who they are with.

Swarzy: I am joined by Kristin from Huntsville, she is a mom like no other because your kid was in the band.

What were they playing?

>> I don't remember, I was so excited to be watching.

They did amazing.

I am so proud.

Swarzy: They kicked us all off.

What is the vibe like today?

>> We are having a great time and we are so glad we were invited.

Swarzy: And it is not raining so we are winning.

>> You are absolutely winning.

Swarzy: Thank you so much for your time.

Daisy: Happy New Year indeed and Happy New Year to Harleymoon Kemp.

You've been helping warm up the crowd and get everyone excited.

Harleymoon: forming up the crowd for cold hands.

Daisy: Tell us about what you will be performing and how you came to be here today.

Harleymoon: firstly this is an absolute honor, I am a Londoner through and through, born and raised.

I am performing my song called lucky.

It is a song about celebration.

I wrote it in lockdown about being grateful for your friends and family who show up for you.

Daisy: Should all feel great for the start of a new year.

You come from an iconic British soap -- iconic British showbiz family.

You aim too high or just right?

Harleymoon: I am just having fun.

I am writing songs I think of, I get out and go for it, win or lose it does not matter for me.

Daisy: I completely understand and totally agree.

Do you prefer more upbeat or a good ballad or do you like a mixture?

Harleymoon: I am a mixture.

At my show a lot of it is about bad dates and heartbreaks.

Some are funny.

A little bit of comedy in it there and a few actual heartbreaks.

Daisy: What does 2024 hold for you?

Harleymoon: I have a lot of shows coming out and I'm bringing out an EP in the first quarter of the year.

Daisy: What will that be called?

Harleymoon: All to be announced.

Daisy: We web to keep our eyes and ears open.

Is there anyone you are looking forward to seeing and enjoying while you are here?

Harleymoon: The whole thing.

I am here with my friend and her kids and I am seeing it all through her eyes and I am enjoying seeing all of the bands going past.

Daisy: It is special to see how the kids respond to the dancers, the drummers, the horses, the balloons, everything.

It is really a party for all ages.

Absolutely.

Any New Year's resolutions?

Harleymoon: I would like to try and learn some languages.

I am traveling all the time and it is embarrassing.

Everyone speaks English.

Daisy: You speak the language of music very well.

Harleymoon Kemp.

Thank you for joining us.

Bob: Thank you so much.

Looking at the phenomenal pictures.

We have the slippery rock University marching pride band just through the start.

Another group to London for the first time to entertain us and we are thrilled to have them.

I went to invite this group to come to London 18 months ago and they performed for me and I was blown away.

I know the crowds in London will be blown away.

Great colorguard.

Daisy: I think we should talk to Swarzy and see what she is up to.

Swarzy: We are joined by Emily.

How are you?

>> So exciting.

Swarzy: Happy New Year.

Tell me what is going on behind me.

>> We have the policeman and we are from the Dublin choir.

Swarzy: And if you were to let go right now?

There we go.

Amazing.

Talk to me about your team.

Who is with you today?

We have the travel choir, we have the concert choir, and we have the tenor choir with us.

Swarzy: A lot of people come to support.

>> This is our quiet -- this is our choir director behind us.

Swarzy: Thank you so much.

We will catch you soon.

Daisy: Thank you, Swarzy.

Bob: The Talladega band is well on its way down Whitehall and should be with us in just a couple of moments to give their keynote performance in the finale area at the end of the parade route.

Just before they get here, I have somebody really important in the studio I want everybody to meet today.

One of the great supporters of our event will join us.

Your We Are.

Lovely to have you.

You're a legend in the U.S. band world.

Everybody knows you.

You have done such fantastic work with all of these young people across the states for so many years motivating them, making them gain enormous pride and respect for themselves in what they do.

You've been a great supporter of London's New Year's Day parade.

Why?

Tim: The London parade, travel is the best educational experience in the world.

You can read it in the books but being there is different.

Every time the essence grows.

It is exciting in this has become an international event.

For London, but for the world that is watching.

Bob: Where does London's new your parade sit in the pantheon of world parades.

You've been to all of them, certainly the American ones.

Where are we?

Tim: The bold standard, you know that.

It is the upper tier.

Bob: Band directors in the states, that is something they want to check off in their career.

You go to this and the London parade.

That is because one person had an idea many years ago.

Bob: It is an awful lot of people it takes to put these things on.

It takes people like you that have a belief and understanding of what it is about.

The most important thing, and I am pretty sure you would agree, you can say so if you do not, for these kids this is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Tim: They will.

Some of never been in an airplane.

They will go home and their prejudice will disappear because music is the universal language.

Music brings us together.

It will save the world.

Bob: Thank you very much.

Enjoy the rest of the show.

Daisy: The bands are really making their way through the route now.

They have seen all kinds of things as they have marched through London.

These first fans that will end up behind us.

Bob: If those Key West people from the southern tip of the United States of America are not feeling cold today, we know it must be pretty good.

The crowd is keeping them warm.

Daisy: I think they are warm from tip to two.

The Florida Keys, did you know there are over 800 keys?

Bob: How long is it from when you end the bottom end of Florida to when you get to Key West?

Daisy: Longer than you would think.

You have to drive through the keys.

Sometimes you're driving through a road that on either side is just ocean.

It is beautiful in the turquoise waters, the extreme southern part of Florida.

Bob: You're making me feel as if I would rather be in a warmer climate.

Truth be told I would rather be here in London.

Daisy: We will go after this.

We want to be here for this.

Bob: There are the many -- Daisy: There are the mini mokes again.

We have a lot of specialty auto clubs.

People celebrate cars old and new.

Bob: I think the moment has come.

The first band is just about to reach us in the performance arena at the end of the parade route on Parliament Street.

Here comes the Talladega College Great Tornado Band.

Under the direction of Adrian Thompson.

Bob: Get ready.

♪ Daisy: Into the Talladega Great Tornado Band from Talladega College, one of the proud historically back -- one of the proud historically black colleges and university.

They brought over 180 people to London for these six days and they have been loving every second and the crowd has been loving every second of them.

Bob: They are unbelievable.

If ever you want to be woken up nicely but loudly on a New Year's morning, they are the absolute perfect for it.

Daisy: You will not even need coffee.

Bob: That reminds me I have not had one yet.

They will believe leaving the arena and a second and following them are there ceremonial historic carriages we've been talking about.

There is the mace bearer to the Lord Mayor of the city of Westminster.

The Lord Mayor is in the first carriage.

They will be passing through the arena shortly.

There she is.

Lord Mayor Patricia McAllister enjoying her year of office as Lord Mayor of the city of Westminster.

Followed in the next carriage by the deputy Lieutenant of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, representing the Lord new tenancy -- the Lord Lieutenant.

We will see the third carriage which carries the chairman of the London mayors Association, Steve Summers, who is accompanied by the deputy speaker of the House of Commons.

If you like, that is the chairman of the House of Commons for the deputy chairman.

A very important office.

Daisy: It is not just about performers and tremors and cheerleaders, it is also about the city of London.

Everyone that comes together to take care of this wonderful city.

Bob:."

some of the most important people in those boroughs.

We have the Toot bus.

A very important part of London because it takes visitors around the city safely.

On this bus we have no fewer than 26 of the mayors or borough mayors, the civic mayors of London's boroughs.

Also I can see the parade patron who is the great can stun cashew is the great ran son of Winston Churchill -- who is the great-grandson of Winston Churchill.

26 mayors of the London boroughs making a resplendent site on New Year's Day.

Daisy: Any excuse to break out the ceremonial robes?

Bob: What a contrast to Sarah -- what a contrast to ceremonial robes we have now.

Daisy: Let's get some cheerleading.

It is time.

♪ ♪ ♪ players gonna play play play Haters gonna hate hate hate I've just get a shake it off Fakers gonna fake fake fake Shake it off ♪ ♪ Daisy: Well done, cheerleaders.

Keeping the crowd happy.

The proud might be keeping them happy.

We have so many smiling faces from all over the world lining the streets of London.

What a celebration.

Bob: Everybody is keeping everybody super happy.

Here is another fantastic band making its way through the start.

Following those cheerleaders into the performance arena.

We will be greeting the band from Alabama.

Meanwhile, cannot work out who that is at the moment making their way around Piccadilly Circus and down into Regent Street St. James.

Daisy: A lot of these marching bands are accustomed to marching at football games or in local pageants, but to come all the way across the world is very special.

Bob: I always make this joke about American marching bands and "football."

I do not really understand American football.

Daisy: I will explain it to you.

Bob: The Huntsville High School Crimson panther marching band.

♪ [Playing "Living on a Prayer"] Bob: The Huntsville high school marching band.

They have come from Huntsville, Alabama and they just played " Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi.

Now we are going to see Jon Swazi who had a few moments with the mini mokes drivers.

Joe: We are currently standing on a mini moke Going Down Piccadilly.

Swarzy: We have a good driver.

You have two new guests.

How do you feel?

Joe: I am absolutely terrified.

Swarzy: The vibe is very cool.

I think we are coming up to more men this.

Daisy: -- I think we are coming up to more madness.

Daisy: They are getting into all of the good stuff down there.

Aren't they?

Bob: I think this is last year's winners coming into the finale arena passing straight through.

What have they done this year?

Daisy: Redbridge is surrounded by parks and greenery and they have brought the world to them.

You can see them partying on the float.

They are the planet this year.

They are last year's winners and they brought it again this year.

Bob: I am pleased to see that mini moke go and Swarzy were on has survived.

We'll be seeing the striking cobras in the arena.

Daisy: That's right.

It is fun to see all of these schools in their school colors representing their teams and their schools so proudly.

Bob: A blimp of a banner shouting about Costa Rica.

Costa Rica -- next year we have a fabulous band from Costa Rica.

That is another story and there is a lot more this year.

Daisy: You see what that says?

That says there already people preparing for next year because they are that excited.

Bob: Look at the crowds at Piccadilly Circus.

Downing Street.

I wonder if Rishi Sunak is home today?

Daisy: If he is he is getting quite a show.

Bob: Absolutely.

Daisy: You can see more of the Redbridge costumes of the planet.

We have our Bobby coming up to say hello behind us.

Bob: In a short while we will be getting another band in the arena.

Before we go to our next band, let's talk to Joe who might be with a king and maybe even a queen.

Daisy: I hope so.

Swarzy: Hello.

Happy New Year.

Her great, aren't they?

-- they are great, aren't they?

Joe: Most important question.

Have you sang yet?

>> We have it playing in the back of the wagon there.

We have a marching band behind us here.

We are having a great time.

How about this?

Joe: Thank you so much.

Have an amazing parade.

Bob: It would not be London New Year's Day parade without the pearly kings and queens.

They are what London is quite -- is all about.

You must never forget what they do for charity.

They're are basically a charitable organization.

Daisy: They really are.

As resplendent as they are in their individualized codes and addresses, each is completely individual.

They are about service and charity at the end of the day and that is a bit of a message to be sending out.

Bob: All presented in a unique London way.

Bob: Any moment we should be seeing the Key West high school marching conchs in the arena.

Before we get to them we have another Florida band.

People have fled from the warmth this year to London, which warms your heart.

Daisy: I don't blame them.

There is nowhere better to be.

Bob: This is the mostly high school band from the Florida Panhandle near Panama City.

You know that.

Daisy: While all of people do not know -- what a lot of people do not know is you go to all of these places, you are meticulous about picking the right band to come over from across the world and a lot of the other performers worldwide that you get every single one of these.

Bob: The Key West high school marching conchs.

♪ [Playing "One Way or Another"] Bob: There we go.

Terrific rendition of -- Daisy: "One Way or Another."

Bob: It was Debbie Harry I would try to think of.

When they went -- when I went to see them in London the best thing they did was Eleanor Rigby.

"One Way or Another" was fantastic.

Daisy: I think we can go back and see Joe and Swazi.

Let's jump down to them.

Swarzy: We have nothing on our feet but we have the amazing people for top hello to Agnes.

>> Happy New Year.

Swarzy: What is all of this about?

>> This is had fun getting fit.

Everyone can join our classes.

Swarzy: Even Joe?

Joe: What is your name?

>> I am Donna.

Joe: We are trying.

We will let you carry on.

Swarzy: We will go back that way.

Daisy: I almost wore sneakers like that today.

I feel like a would be getting my steps in that.

Bob: It is better off here.

It is warm.

Another band making the turn at the bottom of Regent Street St. James just walking along and be confronted by Nelson's column.

136 feet high.

Nelson's column is surrounded by four lions.

There's an old rumor that those liens -- that those lions will come alive if Big Ben strikes 13 times.

One of our patron says listen carefully to see if Big Ben is striking 13 times when you get to Trafalgar Square, and if it does no good advice except run for your lives.

Daisy: As fast as you can.

They are iconic and I will now be counting the next time I hear Big Ben.

My favorite number is 13 so I would not mind that.

Bob: Peers the Park Vista high school striking cobra marching band.

♪ ♪ Bob: There they go.

The first time in London for the Park Vista Striking Cobra Marching Band.

Under the direction of one of our youngest band directors.

He will be going places with this great group of young people from Florida.

Daisy: Absolutely.

Did you know the music program there is the biggest at the school?

They foster so much music.

Bob: As we heard from Tim Justo important music is to all of our lives and that school -- as we have heard from Tim just how important music is to all of our lives.

Daisy: What is it like for the acts still waiting, what must that be like for them?

The anticipation has to be growing with every minute.

Bob: I should think they are excited but I remember talking to one of the young ladies from a group we had a few years back and I said what is it like before you step out onto the route?

Very exciting but mostly nervous.

As soon as you start -- Daisy: As soon as you start playing the few notes it comes back and you go and enjoy.

Bob: -- Daisy: A little bit of stage fright.

Bob: It evaporates by the time they get to the arena.

They just want to have fun and enjoy themselves.

Daisy: You can really appreciate how close the crowd is able to get to certain parts of the route to all of our performers.

They can feel the drums, feel the brass, feel the dancing.

Bob: More often than not these bands will be performing six or seven abreast on those wide thoroughfares you see in the United States.

Here they have to squeeze down to four abreast to navigate their way around the route.

Today there managing five, which is pretty good.

Here is that other Florida group we were talking about.

The one from the Panhandle.

Daisy: We have left Florida for just a moment and going up to New Hampshire, up in the extreme northeast of the United States.

Bob: They will not be worried too about the temperature in London.

Daisy: This is tropical for them.

Bob: Absolutely.

You heard one of our street commentators telling us we'll be seeing the Polish community represented.

The Polish committee of London represented fairly soon.

Hillsdale Central High School marching band having just come through the start making a second appearance in London under the direction of mastering steep.

Daisy: How is it feel when you have what we call repeat offenders?

Bob: Every now and then we call them recidivists.

It is wonderful when they come back.

More often than not they do because they thoroughly enjoy themselves.

It is not just the parade.

Telling us we are going to be seeing the Polish community represented fairly soon.

Having just come through the start, making a second appearance in London.

Daisy: how happy does it make you when we have what I would call repeat offenders?

Bob: every now and then, we call them recidivist.

That is another story.

It is wonderful when they come back.

More often than not they do because they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

It is being in London for a week and seeing all of the wonderful things this great city has to offer.

Daisy: it is the greatest city the London New Year's Day parade family means a lot to these acts.

Here we have the slippery Rock University marching pride band.

♪ Bob: What a terrific crib, slippery Rock University marching pride.

-- what a terrific club, slippery Rock University marching pride.

It made the whole crowd smile.

Daisy: Before that, London Borough of Havering came through If you saw that, that is who they were.

Very much into charity and making music accessible to young and old alike.

♪ Daisy: Every age represented, every kind of person represented, every color represented.

There is nowhere better on New Year's Day.

Bob: So much fun.

So much music.

There is never a quiet, dole moment in this -- dull in this parade.

Daisy: That is tradition.

♪ Bob: Here comes another one of our balloons.

It is a cheerleader.

It must be a cheerleader.

Daisy: We can just -- there he is.

The one and only Chesney Hawkes.

See what I did?

Bob: I thought that was excellent.

♪ >> Thank you, London!

Bob: Said the other day, he has been around for a while and said this is probably the biggest audience I would ever have had.

It is great to have him with us today.

It is a phenomenal song.

Daisy: International hit.

He has been talking all week about how excited he is to be here today and to be celebrating the first day of 2024 with all of us.

Bob: A thoroughly nice guy as well.

Great performer.

We wish him well for the future.

I think he has a new album coming out.

Anyway, we ought to find out what other people think.

I wonder what the crowd is thinking?

I think Joe andy may have somebody.

Not quite yet.

We're still getting the opinion of the person in the crowd up there.

Daisy: Live TV.

Bob: We are looking at the Londonderry High School Lancers before making their keynote performance.

♪ ♪ Daisy: Well done.

George and Steinbrenner marching lawyer band.

Their high school senior Josh set it is a big honor to travel across the globe from their little humble high school in lU tz to make their name known.

They were meant to be here in 2020 and they are watching years happier today.

Bob: We all know what happened in 2020.

They were meant to be here January 2021 but we know what that would mean.

We have not missed a beat because in 2020 we were where I should say in 2021 we were a fantastic studio-based TV show and after that we did a mini parade, or an event in an arena like what we have here today.

Daisy: You can't keep the London New Year's Day parade down.

Bob: You can't get rid of it.

There is our Polish community just passing by the Christmas tree.

Daisy: You can see in traditional dress and proudly waving their flags to the crowd.

Bob: I caught a brief glimpse.

Let's watch this band.

♪ ♪ Bob: There you go, the Sound of the Southland Marching Band all the way from Florida.

So many Floridian bands today.

"Saturday night's all right."

We are seeing one of the great favorites of the parade from the Congo.

They will be a real treat when they get down into the arena eventually.

♪ Daisy: You know I love the Donkey Breed Society.

This is a charity dedicated to the education of preventing cruelty and improving the lives of all the donkeys that come into their care.

They also teach people how to take care of their own donkeys because it is kind of a specialized animal to have.

Is there anything more adorable?

I don't think so.

Bob: Those donkeys are really will care forward -- really well cared for.

Now we go to the Londonderry High School marching band.

♪ Bob: That was the Londonderry High School Lancer Marching Band all the way from New Hampshire.

They are not worried about the temperature today.

They were playing Smokey Robinson.

First time in London.

We would love to have them back.

We have some great American high school and college marching bands here today.

We also have great high school and college band directors.

There's nobody greater then the professor of University of Texas having been the highly acclaimed band director of their superb marching band, University of Texas marching band.

Delighted you're here with us today.

Thank you for being a supporter of the London parade for so many years.

What is it that makes this parade special for you?

>> Having spent my whole life working with marching bands, the excitement of seeing them and appreciated by millions of people in this audience is a wonderful experience.

I can't think of anything better than coming to one of the world's greatest cities and performing for an appreciative audience.

I love it.

Bob: Do you think the audience is more appreciative in London that perhaps in your country where you see much more this thing, much more of marching band parades?

We don't have much here.

>> I think so because it is not the most common thing for people to see and it is so exciting.

The thing that really blew my mind first time I was here, you had some of your liquid sunshine.

The kids loved it.

Bob: We are not getting any liquid sunshine today.

What do you say to any American or overseas band look it up be invited to London's New Year's Day parade?

>> When I taught high school those many years ago and brought groups to the U.K., it was the best education these kids could get.

Come and you will enjoy it and remember it for the rest of your lives.

Bob: Enjoy the rest of your parade today and the rest of your time in London.

Thank you so much.

Daisy: Something that Paula just said, this goes out to hundreds of millions of people, not just the people on the street, not just people in Britain or America, this goes out all over the world.

Bob: I think our communications director who does a phenomenal job every year, making everybody aware of what is going on, I think he told me this year's broadcast will reach as many as 340 million homes around the world.

Daisy: And each of those homes has several people in it.

Bob: One likes to think so.

We are saying carnival Del Pueblo.

Daisy: I always look forward to this end.

They bring the energy and those Latin rhythms, how can you not move along to the music?

They have their authentic costumes.

They are celebrating their 25 anniversary this year.

Happy anniversary!

We are so happy to have you here.

They are a charitable organization as well.

This is all about charity and service.

Speaking of which, Boogie Storm, let's go down to Joe and Swarzy with them and maybe another special guest.

Joe: hello to you.

>> Happy New Year.

Thank you for inviting us to this parade.

Joe: always a pleasure to have you.

Swarzy: Your move just now nearly took out Joe.

>> We have been invited now a couple of years.

Four or five.

We loved it.

We love the crowds.

We love London.

Everyone loves Star Wars.

Joe: there is someone under this costume?

>> There is.

Swarzy: We have to keep walking where we're going to get knocked over.

Joe: Happy New Year!

Bob: You said you had a special guest and you certainly did.

Daisy: I am probably going to catch a little drink with those guys after the show.

I can't decide which is the most handsome.

That is the problem.

Bob: You should see them dancing.

Quite something.

We have some of the Latin community here from Carnaval Del Pueblo.

Always entertaining.

The Costa Ricans have made it into the arena.

The crowd always loves the Latin American -- Daisy: I always look forward to seeing them.

They bring so much energy, color, vibrancy.

Those Latin rhythms.

Who can resist?

Bob: I became an honorary Caribbean earlier today.

Daisy: What?

Bob: We did a little thing on the BBC Breakfast show and they brought Paddington Bear.

Daisy: Of course Paddington Bear is originally from Peru.

Bob: The big disappointment, I kept asking Paddington for a marmalade sandwich, you know, breakfast time.

He did not have one.

Daisy: He obviously forgot the late Queen's handbag because she always kept warm late sandwiches.

The only person she ever divulged that secret to was Paddington Bear.

Here we have the London Borough Greenwich known for its naval history and architecture and Greenwich mean Time.

Bob: And in 2012, the borough of Greenwich became the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

The third London borough to have such recognition.

Daisy: Indeed.

Representing them today, the 56 Woolwich squadron RAF Cadets committed to music and service.

Bob: Another band from the USA.

♪ Daisy: Happy New Year!

Bob: All the way from Virginia.

The band is making its second appearance here in London's New Year's Day parade.

They were playing "don't stop me now."

I thickly might be able to go to Joe and Swarzy -- I think we might be able to go to Joe and Swarzy.

Meanwhile, we are taking a look at the crazy stuff riders who will be thrilling everyone along the parade route.

Daisy: Let's go back to my potential Stormtrooper boyfriends.

Let's take a look.

♪ ♪ Daisy: It is not every day you see a Stormtrooper twerking.

Try and say that.

If you recognize them, probably saw them in the finals of "Britain's Got Talent."

Bob: When I first saw them in 2021 when they performed at our studio show, shall we say, they came and just blew me away.

I thought they were wonderful.

Daisy: Such a crowd pleaser too.

Bob: Simon Cowell's favorite, too.

Daisy: He has great taste.

Bob: Here we have another high school band, this time from South Carolina.

Catawba Ridge High School Marching Band.

♪ [playing Firework] Bob: Word today good -- weren't they good?

That was "firework."

Daisy: You can see the snakeskin insignia.

That is why they are called the copperheads.

Bob: That young lady enjoyed herself.

Come back and see us again.

Daisy: Many spelling faces -- any smiling faces.

Bob: We are enjoying ourselves.

Daisy: It doesn't get any better than this, Bob.

Bob: I think that is a marching band from Illinois.

Daisy: As they pass us, I do get excited when I hear just the drums going by.

I love a good drum corps.

It gets the heart going.

Bob: The whole of central London for 3.5 hours on New Year's Day just reverberates to that incredible beat.

Daisy: That looks like a Maypole.

Bob: I don't know which entry yet.

Here comes another one of our balloons.

This is the Cheerleader Balloon.

You can tell that by the strange looking pom-poms.

It is a Cheerleader Balloon being carried by the Licking Heights High School Choirs.

We have April festival that goes hand-in-hand with the parade.

-- we have a coral festival that goes hand-in-hand with the parade.

The looking Heights high school will be singing tomorrow night, January 2.

Now for something completely different, cheerleaders.

♪ Daisy: Really bringing it, varsity cheerleaders once again delighting the crowd with a little Elvis Presley this time.

Bob, did you know cheerleading began in this country?

Bob: I did not know that.

Daisy: I have a little history lesson for you about cheerleading.

Bob: I did know the past president of the United States was an accomplished cheerleader.

Daisy: More than one, actually.

Bob: I knew W was.

Gracious me, we have another band straightaway.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Daisy: The spirit and pride of Pennsylvania.

♪ ♪ Daisy: Well done.

The mountaineers from the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, the spirit and pride of Pennsylvania themselves.

Bob is here sitting with just two of our spiritual leaders.

Bob: I have two wonderful cheerleaders here from Varsity All Americans.

Let's get a look at you if we can and then you can tell lessor names.

-- you can tell us your names.

How was it?

>> It was amazing.

Bob: Are you exhausted?

>> Yes, having to run.

Bob: How was the crowd?

>> They are wild.

Bob: Tell us who you are.

>> I am from Houston Texas.

>> I am from Corpus Christi, Texas.

Bob: It looks like a lot of hard work learning those you teens -- routines.

How much rehearsal did you have for this one today?

>> I learned the and probably like two days and we practice a little for a few hours here.

>> It was learning on our own and we rehearsed one day here.

Bob: With just one short rehearsal?

It shows you are pretty good.

Your selected from hundreds of thousands of people to come over here.

>> Yes, sir.

Bob: The most important thing is that you enjoyed being here because the crowd enjoys you so much.

What if you liked about being in London?

>> It is beautiful.

It has been my dream to come here.

Bob: What do you like best?

>> I really like the buildings.

They are beautiful.

Bob: A bit older than in taxes.

-- Texas.

You have another 24 hours.

Enjoy it.

We hope you will come back one day and entertain us again or just enjoy the show.

>> Thank you.

Daisy: You can certainly see why the cheerleaders are so popular.

Just adorable.

Here is Harleymoon Kemp singing "Lucky."

♪ >> I must be L_U_C_K_Y to have you here by my side Don't know what I did to deserve it babe I must be lucky I must be L_U_C_K_Y to have you here by my side It's simple but it's perfect babe I must be lucky, yeah When the whole world is upside down, find a way to stay on top When the dark clouds come around We can take our clothes off ♪ I must be L-U-C-K-Y to have you here by my side Don't know what I did to deserve it babe I must be lucky, yeah I must be L-U-C-K-Y to have you here by my side Don't know what I did to deserve it babe I must be lucky, yeah I must be L-U-C-K-Y to have you here by my side Don't know what I did to deserve it babe I must be lucky, heya Don't know what I did to deserve it babe I must be lucky, yeah ♪ Happy New Year@ Daisy: I feel like the luckiest girl here.

I have Mr. parade by my side and we are enjoying the very first day of 2024.

Bob: I can't think of a better way.

This one is looking really good and the weather is holding.

Daisy: Fingers crossed.

Bob: The marching bands are still coming through the parade arch at the start of the New Year's Day parade.

I think at last we can go and see Joe and Swarzy and hear about what -- Joe: We are here with Chris and family.

I hear you were here 20 years ago.

>> A little over 20 years ago.

I was in a band.

It was a marching band.

Swarzy: Can you imagine your dad in the band?

What do you think he was wearing?

Joe: what is your favorite thing?

>> I don't really know.

Swarzy: Did you see that jumping girls?

They were amazing.

And the cheerleaders.

Joe: thank you for coming back, even 20 years later.

Happy new year.

Thank you so much.

Swarzy: Happy New Year.

Daisy: Young and old alike just loving this parade.

I have seen so many kids waiting to the p34ro4 -- waving to the performers and trying to be in the moment but also document the day.

All of these wonderful memories to look back on.

Bob: That was fantastic to hear there was a father with his young kids who had taken part in the parade 20 years ago.

I remember it well, unfortunately.

Daisy: On that note, am I right in saying this is your 38th year?

Bob: It is.

Daisy: Congratulations.

This is why they call you Mr. parade.

That is something to be proud of.

Bob: They have previously won on this occasion.

They are really trying very hard this year.

Daisy: Look at the record turning on the side.

For those who only do streaming, records is what we used to listen to music on.

Bob: You just pointed out how old I must be.

Sutton is featuring the fact so many musicians or rock fans started their lives, famous people, the Rolling Stones had their first gig in the arrow of Sutton.

That is another story.

Daisy: This band is such a crowdpleaser.

Bob: Absolutely super.

♪ Daisy: Here we go.

The Red Devil Marching Band.

♪ [playing "Greased Lightening"] ♪ Bob: There we go.

Red Devil Marching Band.

All the way from Illinois.

They were playing "greased lightning."

The second time they have been to this parade.

They have performed all over the world under their director.

We are sure to see them back in London some day.

Daisy: Not far from Chicago where my dad was from.

I would like to say #happyhotcho colatefriday which is a thing for them.

Bob: We are going to go and see what is Swarzy up to.

Swarzy: Talk to me about today.

What is the vibe like?

>> We sat down there because of COVID a couple of years ago.

It was more on the screens that anything that we love it so much.

We thought we would come down.

It was fantastic.

Swarzy: You have inflatables, dancers, bands.

>> It is a free event, New Year's Day.

What a better way to start New Year's Day?

Swarzy: Thank you.

>> And dancing Stormtroopers.

And we got a good place on the barriers.

Swarzy: You have top spot there.

Thank you very much.

Bob: You seem to be making her way down the parade route.

I guess it won't be too long before we see you in the arena.

You can tell us all about how it has been.

Daisy: I think that gentleman might go home and buy himself a Stormtrooper outfit.

Bob: I think this is one of the Latin American entries.

Trying to work out what we have.

The London Borough of Southwark work.

There are so many Latin communities represented.

Daisy: They celebrate drummers, Latin performers, and this is where the Canterbury tales first starts.

Bob: Exactly so.

Daisy: Home Toubro market as well.

Bob: It is one of the oldest.

This looks like the representation from the Chinese community in London.

Making their way around Piccadilly.

Daisy: The Chinese dragons are always so beautiful and mysterious as they wind their way through these beautiful London streets.

I think especially the kids love to see the Chinese dragons.

Bob: they do.

And the lions and even the pandas.

Daisy: And how about the horses?

Bob: These are the Queen's horses.

Always, always spectacular.

They dress these horses so pitifully.

These horses -- a dress these courses so beautifully.

They are cared for, loved by their owners who dress them magnificently and prepare them for this parade.

They are in good hands.

Daisy: A little glimpse of all of the Queen's horses.

Bob: There is the FAKI Kimbanguist brass Band.

Daisy: Look at the age range of the players.

They encourage everyone to join and play an instrument and they will teach you.

Bob: What is the youngest?

Daisy: I'm not sure, but really young.

Let's see, seven.

The oldest in their 70's.

Bob: They have a pretty good repertoire but none of them can read music, including the leader.

They play all by ear.

Daisy: You can see the little one, maybe in his very first parade.

Certainly, not his last.

Bob: Don't they make an absolutely fantastic sound?

No wonder we want them back every year.

I think they are sensational.

Daisy: You are not mistaken.

Bob: Now for something completely different because Joe and Swarzy are up to something.

They do all sorts of things.

They are not getting their steps in today, they are riding everywhere.

Swarzy: What we're trying to do is not fall off.

I am very terrified.

Happy New Year!

We might do a stunt.

Joe: no stunts.

Swarzy: This has been -- thank you very much.

2024, London's New Year's Day parade.

Bob: I think they were just about to do a stunt jump.

I wonder if we are going back to them ever again?

I do hope we well.

-- I do hope we will.

This is the sophomore band from Oklahoma -- Southmoore Band from Oklahoma.

Making their third appearance.

Quite a history because the very first time they were going to come just before they came, their entire town was blown away by a tornado and they had to rebuild and the thought of coming to London and having the achievement of coming to London was what got the community together and helped rebuild.

Daisy: Sometimes you need something like that you bring a community together.

For the school and the marching band to be that catalyst for everyone, it is really very special.

They call the school their home.

♪ Bob: The director of that band, he is a much acclaimed band director.

Very inspirational and director.

Daisy: All of their families are involved.

They have a website even for the band parents.

It does bear mentioning we have and a lot of kids, teenagers, etc., in today's parade.

They are not just coming over, their families are coming over, grandparents, siblings.

They are all part of the London New Year's Day parade tradition.

Bob: Absolutely.

We have Trafalgar Square.

Daisy: Look at all of those hate the look at all of those happy faces.

Bob: There we go.

They are having fun.

There are the old minis.

Not the new ones.

Daisy: They are so small, my mother tried to take one over to America when she was living over there and it was too small for American roads and they would not let her.

Bob: I can understand having done some driving in America.

Daisy: You probably have done more driving in America than I have.

Bob: They are pretty much bringing up the rear of the parade this year.

We have nearly seen everything out of the start.

Everybody is more or less making their way along the parade route.

Daisy: Is that Joe but in a motorcycle helmet?

Go you never know.

Swarzy has failed, obviously.

-- has bialed, obviously.

The Chinese dragons again.

Daisy: As you can see, they are just passing Downing Street, 10 Downing Street, home to the prime minister.

All of our British people know that, but not everyone around the world.

Bob: Part of the entry from all of the Queen's horses.

Making that turn to go down Whitehall.

Somewhat differently dressed horses standing guard.

Daisy: Indeed.

Bob: Look at those phenomenal crowds.

Thank goodness for cell phones.

Otherwise, what would they see in the back?

Daisy: It is just packed on these London streets.

We have thousands and thousands and thousands of people out here today.

Bob: Here our next marching band.

That looks a little bit like Thomas the Tank engine.

Harrow, saving the planet.

One of the most frequent winners of prices in London's New Year's Day parade.

Always put out something really good and entertaining.

I look forward to seeing that a bit later on.

We get a glimpse of it in the performance arena.

Daisy: It really is a competition with these burros.

Each one wants to come in first.

The cash price goes straight to charity.

That is so important to remember.

Bob: This is the SaberCat Marching Band.

♪ ♪ Daisy: Well done, Southmoore High School SaberCat Marching Band.

I think Joe and Swarzy may have caught themselves a Dragon.

We have to pray for their safety.

Bob: Yes, we do.

Daisy: Take it away.

Joe: this is better.

Swarzy: Now we are on the top deck so I am happy.

Joe: we are on top of the London Chinatown Chinese Association double-decker bus.

It is amazing.

Swarzy: The views are amazing.

You can see the crowds come all of the different acts.

It is a joy.

Joe: I want to do this every year.

Swarzy: I'm never going to get off.

Joe: I think we have got to.

Bob: Thank you.

We are looking forward to seeing them down here.

I'm getting very worried about you and your fitness.

Daisy: This is the pride of Putnam, Putnam high school pirates from Oklahoma City.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Daisy: Wonderful.

Under the direction of calling Waddell, Jeremy Scott, the Putnam city high school.

Bob: I was going to sing along to Oklahoma.

But I prefer that.

Let me just say that if you want to see more of the Putnam city schools, turn up to the St. John Smiths Square tomorrow.

At 7:30 PM, they will be giving a terrific concert, Putnam city band.

As they disappear into the distance, I hope that Joe and Swarzy.

I told them to stop -- start getting their steps in.

Daisy: They are lazy.

They need to put on their special shoes.

Bob: This is going to be a very successful entry.

It looks reminiscent of the Notting Hill Carnival.

I have got a hunch that my speedy -- that might be the host of the city of Westminster.

We will see more of that later on.

I can hear motorbikes somewhere.

Daisy: I can, too.

Bob: We are at 2:00, 14 hours into the new year.

Daisy: Happy.

Bob: Happy new year to you.

Daisy: Fantastic to be here.

I would not be anywhere else.

Bob: I know who this is.

We will see them in a minute.

But let's hear Moto-Stunts International but let's hear.

Daisy: These guys, I am sure they can park a car within a centimeter of its life.

Bob: I wonder if they are going to do any jumps today.

Daisy: They have had decades of delighting audiences.

They perform all over the world.

They are in movies.

♪ Daisy: They even hold a couple of world records.

Bob: I did not know that.

But this worries me a bit.

Somebody is going to be doing their job.

That is a bit frightening, but they are professionals.

Comfort yourself with that.

Daisy: They are.

And they are riling up the crowd.

Bob: This is my message to my insurance underwriters -- they are professionals do not worry.

Daisy: Do not try this at home, folks.

♪ I imagine this is a record for them as far as audience attendance goes.

Bob: They do big I have a hunch that they do big events, but I have a hunch this might be their biggest.

They have jumped over 118 people.

Daisy: They also went through 25 walls of fire.

I would not want to do that.

They have nerves of steel.

Bob: Everybody trying to stand to get a better view.

There are so many people out watching today.

Daisy: The lion looked a bit like the team GB lion during the Olympics.

It was very reminiscent.

Bob: I can see Christine.

She puts the entry together for satin every year and has raised huge amounts for -- for Sutton every year and is raised huge amounts for charity.

Daisy: That is no small honor.

♪ Bob: Getting a glimpse of University high school Titan Regiment from Orlando.

We have really brought Florida to London today.

Daisy: We have, but we have some California coming up, bands from all over the United States.

But clearly, somebody has been whispering in Florida, saying, guess where I am going in the next guy says, I want to get on that plane.

Bob: We had John Seaver with those earlier.

He is from Florida.

Who have we got now?

I think we have got the lake Norman high school wildcat band from North Carolina.

Daisy: That is right.

The Wildcats.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: Wow.

The lake Norman high school wildcat band, big applause for that rendition of dancing Queen.

You can catch Abba on the East End of London right now.

Good show.

Daisy: I have heard it is fantastic.

By the end of the parade, it will be nothing but confetti.

It is getting more and more colorful, every band that comes through.

It is getting more joyful.

Bob: They have been under the direction of Christopher Brown.

They work fabulous last time and fabulous this time.

They have had to labor under a few difficulties of not having their own instruments.

Huntsville generous to them, gave them musical instruments.

It sounded perfect.

Well done, Lake Norman.

Daisy: That shows that this is a big London New Year's Day parade family.

Someone needs the help, you get the help you need.

Bob: I think that is the Buford band reaching Piccadilly Circus.

They should be with us in around 45 minutes.

Daisy: I am putting you on timer, Bob.

You know what I am like.

[LAUGHTER] Bob: These girls were out this morning at the crack of dawn, actually before dawn.

I hate to think how warm or cold they are.

Daisy: Not only that, but many of them in heels.

That is not easy just for one block of a city street, let alone an entire parade route.

Bob: I will take your word for it.

Here is the London Borough of Sutton.

They are good.

♪ Daisy: Indeed, they are dancing in the street.

♪ ♪ Dancing in the street Every day, dancing in the street ♪ Daisy: So much fun.

Sutton another one of these extremely historic parts of London, extremely old.

♪ ♪ Bob: Sutton are trying hard to get back into those first three places.

Daisy: So many famous musicians from there.

Bob: The red line in Sutton was the location for the Rolling Stones first paid gig.

Daisy: That is right.

Would've loved to have been a fly on the wall back then.

Bob: As they make their way out of the arena, we will go see what those friends of ours are up to.

Daisy: What kind of trouble are Joe and Swarzy in now?

Bob: Was kind of vehicle have they found?

-- What kind of vehicle have they found?

Swarzy: Hello, Mr. B.

Happy new year.

How are you finding the parade?

>> [INAUDIBLE] Happy New Year.

Swarzy: Our you enjoying this sort being a bit of a Scrooge?

>> Loving it.

Keep it coming.

Swarzy: Thanks, Mr. B.

Bob: What are they doing there?

Daisy: For the lot of Americans watching, that is about as British as it gets, a mini Mr. B.

Bob: He is still good after all these years.

Daisy: As do these minis.

They are gorgeous.

Bob: The minis came as vans, pickups.

Daisy: One of them I think is wearing a hat that literally has a ship on it.

Keep your eyes open.

They do not mess around.

They really dress up, everything from medieval dross all the way on up -- dress all the way on up.

The young and the old alike.

Of course, I see some sidesaddle riding going on.

Bob: All kinds of horses you can imagine.

All of this brought together by Caroline Marsh, whose idea this was many years ago, all the Queens horses brought in in honor of the late Queen, who was passionate about everything equine.

They continued with the tradition in the late Queen's honor.

Quite spectacular.

Look at some of the decoration, costume, care and attention that has gone into making these almost carnival horses.

Daisy: Absolutely.

Bob: Key is an apprentice jockey by the looks of it.

Daisy: So much care and work goes into the preparations for a day like today.

Bob: I need to stress once again that these horses and their owners and riders love these animals.

These animals want to be here.

Daisy: They do.

They are used to the attention and the cheering and the clapping and the drumming.

None of them are frightened.

Bob: Quick glimpse of what is to come with the entry from the London Borough of Brett who have been previous winners from the composition and look like they will be good contenders as well.

We will be getting another marching band.

I have been looking forward to this one from Buford.

Meanwhile, this must be another entry.

We will find out which in a short while.

It is looking pretty spectacular to me.

Daisy: It is all looking spectacular.

To twirl all the way down this route, incredible.

Bob: Quick look again, I believe.

The band with some dancers behind them.

And the London school of Samba reaching the halfway point in the parade.

Just past that, the Duke of York statue that we were talking about earlier.

Daisy: For those of you who know the nursery rhyme, 10,000 men.

We have more than that here.

Bob: Here we have the Buford band of wolves, just getting into formation before they performed.

Werewolves in London, I think.

Daisy: Yep.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: There they go, the Buford band of wolves.

The director may be able to join us.

If not, he has brought three different school groups here in his time.

He inks it is the greatest thing he could do for his band programs.

Daisy: Look how joyful they are to be here.

It puts a smile on my face to see the smiles on their faces.

Bob: This is a group to record with, the Disco Amigos from New Orleans.

We will see more of them in a short while.

But he just made it into the studio.

Just for the Chinese come down and we can have a good look at them, we will try to have a word with Eric.

There they come.

Our coming in, the dragons.

They will be around for a while.

Why don't we have a quick chat with Mason?

Those of you watching un-American public television might remember seeing Eric on our preview show.

We featured his work with the Buford band and saw them preparing.

Here they are.

We are lucky to have Eric Mason, director of the Beaufort high school band.

You have just run off the streets to join us.

How was it for you and your students?

>> This is number five for me, number one for them.

It never gets old.

You turn that first corner, it is like the first time.

The kids were excited.

The kids were excited.

The crowd response was fantastic.

The kids held up, the weather held up.

Bob: We are lucky with the weather.

You say it is your fifth time here, but it is three different bands you have brought.

How important is taking part in this parade for your bands?

>> It is hard to put it into words to be honest.

We were talking about this with the parents.

I do not know why everyone in the world who has the ability does not do something like this.

It is a once in a lifetime thing for the students.

It brings them together in a way that nothing else can.

We do concerts, parades, competitions.

This is the cement that holds these bands together.

Bob: Life-changing.

>> No question.

Bob: We owe a huge debt of gratitude to you as the other band directors.

We saw on that show the enormous hard work and dedication that goes into making this happen.

We would like to thank you for all that you do, for all of your kids that you brought to London to take part in this event.

>> Thank you so much.

Bob: Thank you.

♪ Where are we now, Daisy?

Daisy: We have got the University high school Titan regimen from yes where?

Florida.

Bob: Is there anybody left in Florida?

Daisy: I do not think there is.

If there is, they are jealous right now.

>> Let's welcome the All-American -- varsity All-American.

Daisy: We have some more wonderful cheerleaders.

Bob: We saw from our friends from Texas who joined as a while back from the cheerleader group just how much they enjoyed themselves.

They are having fun.

Daisy: Fun fact about cheerleading -- it began in this country with British men.

We have American women doing this.

We have four former presidents -- FDR, Eisenhower oregano on the George W. Bush -- Reagan and George W. Bush, all cheerleaders.

♪ ♪ Bob: Lots of Happy New Year's.

Daisy: I think they are about to start a different piece of music.

>> Let's hear it for the varsity cheerleaders with "Proud Mary."

Daisy: There we go.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: There they go.

We know how great they are.

The girls are fantastic, but also the choreographers.

Choreographed by Ginger Hauser and a few others.

A big shout out for ginger and M ike.

Daisy: As our guests told us, they do not all practice together until they get here.

It has got a lots of moving parts, quite literally, to bring together so beautifully and perfectly.

Bob: I could not do it.

Daisy: I think you could.

Challenge accepted, Bob.

Here, we have a marching band from Northern California, San Jose.

I hail from Southern California, but I love the whole of my state.

Bob: This is a combination of two groups.

The reason we put the California groups as late as weekend the parade is because they are 8 hours behind us.

This way, they will be awake.

Daisy: At 8:00 this morning, my phone started going, "ding, ding " with the "Happy New Year"'s.

I told them I had already been living in the future for 8 ho >> -- the London New Year's Day parade route.

This year they are celebrating -- Bob: There is lots more to come.

We have got the Devlin high school marching band from Colorado.

Daisy: With those pre-March jitters.

Bob: And a Guardsman balloon being carried by Somerset college preparatory Academy.

They will be performing in that concert tomorrow night, starts at 7:30.

I think it is a sellout, but there right be a few tickets remaining.

It will be brilliant.

Only downside is I am hosting.

Daisy: That is the icing on the cake, Mr. parade.

Bob: In the distance, you can see the Tri-City marching bands that will be with us in the future.

It is made up of many schools.

Now we have Rachel O'Connor.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Happy new year, London.

Bob: So, what do you think of Rachel?

Fantastic.

Daisy: Beautiful.

Bob: She sang the anthem, London United, specially written for this parade.

Daisy: That is a big thing to start off something like this.

You are setting the tone, getting the crowd excited.

She has done it beautifully, both at the beginning and now.

With every single add, I think it is Golding and building.

Bob: This will build it further, a wonderful band from Illinois coming to London for the first time, the Carl Sandberg marching Eagles.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: Fantastic, Carl Sandberg high school marching Eagles.

Good job, terrific.

Daisy: Making Illinois proud.

Bob: Director Stuart Bailey.

I hope they come back.

Look at the joy on the kids faces.

Terrific.

Daisy: It really is a joyful day.

Not exaggerating when we say it is pure joy out there.

Bob: I do not think it will be long before Carl Sandberg is replaced by another super marching band.

This is the balloon being handled by the choir of the group that is about two performed by a marching band.

They will perform tomorrow evening at the choral Festival grand finale concert.

Do not miss that.

You can watch it online if you do not have a ticket.

Tomorrow, 7:30.

Racing into the arena now is the marching band from the regimen.

An absolutely superb marching band.

Just wait until you hear them giving their performance of fat bottom girls.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: A lovely, happy new year from the University high school Titan Regiment band from Florida, yet another band making sure there is nobody in Florida at the moment.

Absolutely fantastic.

That group made its television debut on the Fox 35 new station during the Super Bowl on Sunday were 12, 2023.

Daisy: Rachel O'Connor, Happy New Year.

Well done.

The first thing was you kicked off the party in style.

Is that a little daunting?

Do you have any sort of pre-match rituals?

>> I guess I was a bit scared.

I had no idea what to expect, but as soon as I got onto the street and everyone was friendly and enthusiastic, spurring me on, there was an Irish lady who was like, "Hi."

Turns out she does not live far from me.

Everyone's enthusiasm got me through.

Daisy: Everyone is so enthusiastic to have you here.

It is one of those things about the London New Year's Day parade.

Almost anywhere you are from, you can find a neighbor in this crowd.

Then you come here and you are performing your song.

Is that any different than starting off.

Do you have a slightly different feeling now that the parade is underway?

>> It is more relaxed.

I have enjoyed the day, lovely food vendors.

I have had a great time with my friends here.

I was more relaxed when I was doing my song.

Daisy: You did a beautiful job.

The crowd was into it.

You have performed with Durand Durand, one of my high school bands.

I am dating myself, but I do not care.

I am wondering if performing with them gave you that extra bit of experience in front of arena sized crowds?

By the time you get through this, it is hundreds of thousands of people.

>> I am learning so much from Durand Durand.

They sell 20,000-seat arenas every night.

It is different doing it here because I do not see everyone in the audience, the people online and on TV -- watching on TV.

In a way, it is slightly easier but still nerve-racking.

Daisy: You handled it like a champion, Rachel O'Connor.

Happy to have you.

Bob: Thanks.

Now we will see what those two individuals, Joe and Swarzy, are up to.

I think they are on the rave bus.

Where are they?

Swarzy: We are waiting.

-- waving.

>> Incredible day, amazing event.

Love it.

Swarzy: Happy new year.

Joe: I feel too old to be on this bus.

This energy.

How are you doing?

>> I am having the best time.

Joe: I do not know if you can see on camera, but we have got a lot of people around us right now.

Swarzy: The shout out to the DJ.

He has been amazing.

Joe: Massive thank you for being here.

Enjoy the rest of the day.

Bob: Thank you.

I shudder to think what you might be doing next time we see you.

Daisy: They are having the best time of all.

Bob: They are keeping warm, anyway.

The London school will be our finale acts of the parade this year we are getting toward it.

We still have a number of terrific marching bands to,, as well as a couple of London burros and some entertaining music and dance.

Daisy: Oh, yes, some excitement.

It just gets better and better.

It starts off at the top and stays there.

Bob: Another band goes around the corner at Piccadilly Circus.

That is the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

They will be the finale banned from the United States of America this year.

We are nearing the end of this fantastic celebration of New Year's Day 2024.

What a way to do it.

Daisy: What a way indeed.

Bob: The crowd still here.

The entertainment on offer is so good.

An awful lot of Union jacks being waived, good to see, very patriotic.

Coming into the arena now and are starting to perform, we have the Tri-City core Royal Regiment.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Daisy: And the Tri-City band there, not from a high school, by the way.

A lot of people know the tri-state area on the East Coast of the United States.

This is the Tri-City band from near San Francisco, letting these kids come together and play in a band because maybe they do not have one at their school but they want to come together, play wonderful music, and travel to London.

Bob: They are very good.

There is well over 1000 students from 125 schools across the programs who make up that band.

Harrison Chang deserves congratulations for devoting his life's work into bringing those kids together and giving them opportunities.

Daisy: Absolutely.

From December through May, they have a special needs percussion Regiment, which makes them even more lovely.

Bob: This is interesting.

Cyclists.

The veterans cycle club.

British likely disappointed there is no penny for people to fall off, but vintage bikes, tandems, and combinations, ranging in date from the 1880's right up to the 2000's.

Daisy: Some disco, i think.

Bob: Do that stuff, then we will talk about it.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: What can you say?

Daisy: I was dancing alone.

Bob: The Disco Amigos of New Orleans, actually two groups, one from New Orleans, one from Birmingham, Alabama.

Today are part of a Mardi Gras tradition of carnival krewe.

Daisy: They have been handing out traditional Mardi Gras beads.

Purple, gold, green deeds are a tradition on fat Tuesday, in this country called pancake day.

Bob: Corinth Holders high school marching band next in the arena to entertain us all.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: Wow.

Corinth Holders high school marching bands, under the direction of Olivia spell, making their first asked -- appearance at this parade.

Daisy: How fantastic for these kids to come to London and see the West End?

It is the original and best.

Bob: The West End, absolutely.

Daisy: Cal fabulous for them to come and see these beautiful, historic theaters, amazing architecture and everything here.

Bob: Do not agree with you more.

Here we have the London school.

We were talking about rhythm earlier and reverberating sound through London, all of New Year's day.

They are the absolute appended Kennedy of that.

In the arena now is the London Borough of branch.

-- Brent.

Daisy: The theme this year is the world in our city.

This is the second most diverse borough in the whole of the U.K. 149 languages spoken in Brent alone.

The world comes to London.

♪ >> -- to make London and Brunt such an amazing place.

They make it feel like a big party.

So many people.

They are celebrating everything.

They are ending with a big fireworks dance, magical finale in the city of London.

Happy New Year to the London Borough of Brent.

Bob: There you see the mayor of Brent.

Proud of their entry.

Daisy: The artistry of these costumes incredible.

Bob: A lot of has gone into this.

They are anxious to win a prize.

Daisy: They are very competitive.

Bob: Right now, we have in front of us another marching band, this one from Georgia, Grayson high school marching band.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: The Grayson high school marching band, under the direction of Jonathan Ansell.

From Loganville, Georgia, first time.

Day -- first time they have been to London.

Did a terrific version.

Daisy: They have been having so much fun.

I was checking out their Facebook page earlier.

They had an official countdown to coming to London.

This is something they have been looking forward to.

You can tell not only on their faces, but if we were outside, we would hear it in the way they are playing their music.

You can tell when people are joyful.

Bob: That has been one of the highlights, seeing the faces of the kids coming off the parade route, thinking didn't I do well?

Daisy: Cap burst of adrenaline and pride.

They started waving to the crowd.

Bob: I guarantee they are saying to the staff, can I go back and do it again?

Next year.

Daisy: That is it.

That is the thing to do.

Bob: Moving toward the conclusion of the parade, but we've still got 35 minutes to go.

Rishi Sunak coming soon?

Daisy: Come on, sir.

Bob: You can see a great shot there.

People climbed up on top.

I do not know how legal that is.

Daisy: Thousands of people on the streets and millions on television and streaming.

Bob: Nearly 340 million people around the globe.

Actually, 340 million households.

Daisy: I reckon one billion people.

Who are we got here?

Bob: We have got the DJ from the bus that Swarzy and Joe were on.

Who is giving us the wrap now?

You can tell I am not really a rap person.

Daisy: DJ Batali is up there.

He is a doctor, which the that's with the NHS in Britain.

Started doing videos during COVID.

It has spiraled into a fantastic second career.

Bob: Anyway.

Now, we have a Californian band to make you feel at home, Daisy.

Daisy: Murrieta All-Star marching band.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Happy new year.

Daisy: Happy new year, southern California.

The Murrieta All-Star marching band from the RLA -- near L.A. You are thinking of the inland Empire.

Look at you.

Bob: Murrieta All-Star marching band, under the direction of Daniel Greenberg, who came here in 2020 with his own high school band.

That was really good.

We have got the oak grove and independence high school band coming up fairly soon.

I think they are just about ready to come into the arena.

The oak grove and independence high school band, a joint band, as the name implies.

Daisy: Representing the Eagles and the Sixers.

Bob: Under the excellent direction of Chris Moore and Ken Pontichelli, a wonderful character with the independent band.

Before that, a quick look at the entry from the London Borough of Barnett.

There is the mayor of Barnett.

Daisy: Barnett is the Borough of fun.

If you want to have fun, that is where you want to go.

Certainly, when a lot of come to England, they expect to see buildings like the globe.

Barnet is known to be the oldest timber framed building in England, twin with cities across the globe, on the road from Saint Albans to London, which is sort of what put it on the map, quite literally.

Bob: Here we have the Panash Steel Orchestra.

They are prize winners at the Notting Hill Carnival, which means something.

Which is sort of what put it on the map.

Bob: And here we have the Panash Steel orchestra.

They are prizewinners.

Really something because they have some of the finest Steel in the world.

Daisy: They certainly do.

Anyone eligible to join.

Does not matter your experience.

Everyone is welcome.

Bob: That's a lovely sound to hear on a cold winters day.

Daisy: It just warms you up on the inside.

Bob: Absolutely.

Daisy: I know my mother has a soft spot in her heart for steel bands.

I know she will be enjoying this.

Bob: Here, we have the Oak Grove and Independence All-Stars coming into the arena, ready to give their finale performance.

Daisy: It has been a long journey, culminating with this fantastic performance.

Bob: Absolutely.

♪ ♪ ♪ Daisy: Fantastic.

Well done, San Jose, California.

Bob: Rather good.

Two visiting high schools.

They kind of work, don't they?

Daisy: Absolutely.

Bob: Chris back in the foreground.

Daisy: Like a lot of these kids, first of all, these two bands coming together instantly make more friends but then you come to London and make thousands more friends.

Bob: That is what it's all about.

Daisy: Being in this fantastic show.

Bob: Our very good friend, the chief associate of the London mayors Association, he says we will make you Londoners for the week.

Daisy: That is really nice and it's really true.

They are all going to go back feeling like they have a special relationship with this very special city.

Bob: Let's hope it starts to have -- starts a habit of a lifetime, whether it be London or Paris or wherever it might be.

There is so much to learn through the joy of travel.

Daisy: Absolutely.

Bob: Here they come.

Daisy: It's time.

Bob: More cheerleaders.

Daisy: Speaking of friends.

Joe and Swarzy, let's see your new friend.

>> We've got the tallest member that we have spoken to today.

Hello Sam, how are you?

>> I'm good, how are you?

Joe: I was wondering how you are getting that microphone up there.

How's it been so far?

Have you enjoyed yourself?

>> This is my fifth year doing this and it is the highlight of my year.

Swarzy: Just what kind of view do you get being so high?

>> I can see everything and everyone.

It is pretty good being at this height.

Joe: Thank you so much.

We hope to see you next year.

Bob: Thank you Joe and Swarzy.

You've been on everything -- all ever think you can be, from DJ buses to everything but we didn't see you get on stilts.

Who do we have coming in now?

Daisy: We've got some drums going by.

I can feel the drumming in my heart as they walk by.

Bob: That was the Bloco Fogo Samba Band.

Daisy: My home state of California, take it away.

Bob: This is the Redlands All-Stars marching band.

♪ ♪ Bob: And there goes more of that confetti.

Daisy: It is raining down on us.

Bob: It is becoming more than a carpet.

There goes the marching band.

Another one of these wonderful bands.

It is great when these groups come together to form a band.

Daisy: There is something really heartwarming about it.

Bob: Well done.

I hope -- where are we now?

Just after 3:00.

What time is it back home in California?

Daisy: It would be 7:00 a.m. Bob: Good morning California.

Hey, more cheerleaders.

Daisy: This will wake you up.

♪ ♪ Daisy: And a big roar from the crowd as the cheerleaders of varsity All-Stars delight them once again.

That is our fourth group of cheerleaders.

Over 4 million cheerleaders in the United States.

These are the luckiest cheerleaders in America, getting to come over for London's New Year's Day parade.

Bob: One for every prisoner.

Brilliant, brilliant.

Really loved them.

Daisy: They love you.

They love it here.

Bob: A huge shout out for Ginger, Mike and all the terrific staff at varsity corporate.

This is their 13th -- 36th year of doing London's New Year's Day parade.

Daisy: That is something to be proud of.

Bob: We have a new band.

Let's listen.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: That's the first time they've been with us.

Sure it will not be the last.

Daisy: We hope they come back.

Bob: As the D'Evelyn high school marching band under Matthew coming all the way from Colorado.

Only 6:00 in the morning.

Let's hope they have seen it back home.

They also have some singers at that wonderful London international finale going on tomorrow night.

Something to get excited about.

Now then, we have another guest in the studio.

Very quickly.

Before we see those Aston Martin's.

It is Steve Summers, chairman of the London mayors Association and a very important person.

You are looking very splendid today.

How has the parade been?

Steve: It is amazing.

It is brilliant for London but the crowds, it gets better every year.

Bob: It is nothing to do with me.

A little bit to do with it but there are an awful lot of people out there making it happen, not least the phenomenal American marching bands, but also those other 26 nations that are represented.

How important is this event for the city of Westminster and London?

Steve: It is huge.

It is a great way to celebrate the new year but it is so much more than that for London.

It brings people into London, it showcases London to the world and what we have to offer.

It is huge for the economy.

Hotels would be end, restaurants would be empty, theaters would be empty.

It is huge.

A great event and huge for London.

Bob: You say you will be here next year then?

Steve: I think so, I would love to be.

Bob: How was the carriage ride?

Steve: It was wonderful.

Nothing quite like writing around -- riding around the streets of London in a old carriage.

You are saying happy new year, people are engaging with you, it is so wonderful.

Bob: It's great to have you look after us in your fabulous city.

Steve: Thank you.

Bob: What are we going to now?

Daisy: A little more music.

We think we have some more dancing and drumming coming up.

This show just gets better and better and better.

We start at a 10 and stay at a 10.

Bob: Something special coming in now.

Look at this be?

Daisy: The crowd is about to get excited for Boyzlife.

Bob: What is Boyzlife?

Daisy: Boyzlife is formed from -- from the boy bands, boy zone and West life, hence Boyzlife.

They say they are like an old married couple, they party together, drink together, they argue and then they make up.

>> Our band played the wrong song.

You are all fired.

[laughter] ♪ >> You make me feel funny When you come around That's what I find out Honey You make me feel happy One I'm leaving behind the place in my mind Where I worry What what I do without you?

Took for granted Everything we had As if I found someone who is just like you Because we've got a little -- But what I do without you?

Always believing sat at my door.

While MI doing without you?

I guess I'm ready For settling down Quit -- the fooling around is over And I swear it's true No buts or maybes Because when I'm falling down There is always someone Who saves me And girl it's you I'm just realizing what you do We got a little world of our own What did I do without you?

This feeling right now Just doing it right now This feeling right now I somehow let it slip away We have a little world of our own I tell you things that no one else knows We got a little world of our own I tell you things that no one else knows How did you hear where no one else goes?

♪ I'd never do it without you ♪ >> Happy new year everyone!

Bob: Thank you to Keith Duffy from boy zone and Brian McFadden from -- now known as Boyzlife.

Daisy: And Happy New Year to them in their beautiful families.

I saw a little one waving.

Bob: What an incredible record of success those guys have had.

Boy zone had six number one singles.

16 of 17 of their singles hit the top five.

West life had 15 U.K. number ones.

Absolutely phenomenal.

They are still good.

Daisy: Still great.

Bob: Great for many years to come.

Daisy: How joyful it is to be here.

Bob: Absolutely wonderful.

Have you had a good day?

Last year was great.

Daisy: Last year was great.

Bob: This year has been absolutely sensational.

I think every single band, every single act has been wonderful.

Daisy: And the Boroughs, the competition this year.

Bob: It is impossible to figure out who win.

Daisy: I don't envy who is judging that.

Bob: Do you know who is judging?

You pick at random, all along the route.

Some of you Americans will be sitting in that grandstand VIP -- making that decision so goodness knows what is going to happen.

Daisy: I don't envy the task.

Bob: At all.

The results will be out next Friday.

We've got Joe and Swarzy to go to.

Where are you?

Joe: Swarzy, we've certainly got a few people around us.

Swarzy: It is busy!

Joe: How are you finding it?

>> It's great, the energy is great, we love it here.

[cheering] Swarzy: Happy New Year on three.

1, 2, 3.

Happy New Year!

[cheering] Daisy: That is happiness right there.

Bob: What can you say?

Daisy: I can't top it.

Bob: I can't either.

Thank you and Joanne Swarzy.

Now let's hear our phenomenal large -- marching band, the last one from the unit it states of America in London's New Year's Day parade 2024. Who is it to be?

Daisy: I believe it is the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga marching moccasins, also known as the Marching Mocs.

Bob: I was wondering what Mocs means.

I'm glad we found out.

Here they come.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Daisy: Wonderful the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the Marching Mocs.

Bob: Under the direction of Randall Coleman, who has been to this parade on so many occasions with high schools and universities and colleges.

A wonderful friend of the London New Year's Day parade.

He took over this band with about 50 members in 2021.

You saw it now, absolutely huge.

Daisy: I love that.

Bob: They were going to thick about doing pinball wizard but that fight song was terrific.

My goodness, do you want one of these?

Daisy: Yes please.

I will take that British racing green one any day of the week.

Bob: I heard that one of the James Bond DB-5's was worth something or sold like 14 million pounds.

Daisy: I am not surprised because the DBR-1 sold in 2017 $22.5 million.

Somebody has some fat pockets for those cars.

Bob: 007-01.

Daisy: Is there a more iconic car brand than Aston Martin?

Bob: For Ari maybe?

-- Ferrari maybe?

Daisy: I meant British.

Bob: You know what the DB stands for?

Daisy: Tell me.

Bob: David Brown.

David Brown tractors.

Anyway, we are coming up to 23 minutes after the hour.

Daisy: Like John Deere tractors.

Bob: I don't know what the equivalent is in America.

As the Aston Martins, we love to see them.

It makes us drool.

Daisy: Absolutely.

Bob: We are getting very close to the absolute finale act for London's New Year's Day parade, which is this London school of Dhol and their drummers of Royal Bhangra.

Just about to come into the finale arena.

Give us what I would imagine three or four minutes of unique and fantastic entertainment.

Daisy: I learned this from being here last year.

I didn't realize that Dhol drums were played on both sides.

Most drums are only played on the top.

Look at these guys.

They are playing on both sides of the drum.

Bob: Unbelievably complex.

Very difficult.

Daisy: And there is nothing like them.

♪ ♪ ♪ Bob: The fantastic drumming of the London school of Dhol and the Royal Bhangra dancers.

What a great way to end a phenomenal afternoon.

We mustn't forget, we've had two other people who have been giving us just as much entertainment as all of our performers.

They doubly want to say goodbye to us.

Where are you now, Joe and Swarzy?

Joe: Swarzy is a bit sweet right now because this is the end of our day.

Swarzy: I can't believe it.

How does it come around so quick?

Joe: It feels like 10 minutes ago we started.

Swarzy: And we were trying to forecast on the back of a bike -- back of a boat.

What has been your favorite?

Being on the top deck of a bus and talking to a stilt person who is far taller than me.

Joe: I've loved it.

I loved the donkeys.

Swarzy: I love a donkey.

It was amazing.

Joe: We are standing atop the Putnam city -- Swarzy: Happy New Year!

[cheering] Joe: What a way to end.

Happy New Year!

Bob: Thank you guys very much, you are fantastic.

You kept us happy all afternoon.

Joe, let me just tell you, we owe you a huge debt of thanks.

You put on a fantastic show for us.

Joe out entertaining us but also aching much of this happened.

Thank you so much for doing this yet again.

Daisy: You are so modest.

You make this happen too.

It has been my joy to be here again.

I can think of a better way to kickoff a new year than sitting right here and just enjoying the first year.

Bob: Let's see a few highlights that we've got.

Daisy: Happy New Year.

♪ >> We are all excited at London United.

Because we are all invited, and United.

>> Clap your hands and stomp your feet Keep moving to this brand-new beat We can teach you how Love -- nothing can stop us now Watch out, we are here Everyone stand clear It's about to hand -- we are too hot to handle, there is no doubt We are too hot to handle, we will knock you out It is time for the London New Year's Day parade Yet it we will stand -- United we will stand Reaching out a hand Let's go together No matter who you are Because we are all invited London United United We are all invited -- all excited London United Because we are all invited London United ♪