Brits blast Sadiq Khan’s ‘disappointing’ London New Year fireworks after organisers shoehorn in ‘advert’ for Wicked

Sir Sadiq Khan‘s New Year firework celebrations in London were criticised as ‘disappointing’ today after featuring an ‘advert’ for the new Wicked movie.

The display from the Mayor featured prominent visuals and songs from Wicked: For Good in an ‘event partnership’ between his office and Universal Pictures.

Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the movie, recorded a message encouraging people to ’embrace the magic that we all have inside and come together, for good’.

The 100,000 people lining the banks of the River Thames and millions more watching on BBC television saw visuals from the film projected onto the London Eye.

But viewers were unimpressed, with one tweeting: ‘I found the fireworks boring, and why was there basically an advert for Wicked in the middle?’

Another wrote: ‘The wicked ad in the middle of the fireworks OMFG. Late-stage capitalism has gone too far.’ And a third said: ‘The Wicked ad felt weird though, yes? Why did my fireworks come with a side of marketing?’

The song ‘Defying Gravity’ played as fireworks lit up the sky in the film’s pink and green colours along with images of Elphaba and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande.

The message from Erivo – recently made an MBE – said: ‘Hello fellow Londoners. As we travel the Yellow Brick Road into a New Year, let us stand for positivity and hope, embrace the magic that we all have inside and come together, for good.’

This was followed by an excerpt from Defying Gravity, before Erivo added: ‘Happy New Year.’

It follows the release of Wicked: For Good in cinemas on November 22, 2025.

The production used a technology called hologauze, which uses semi-transparent fabric to create 3D-like visual effects by projecting images onto it.

It came just hours after London-born Erivo was made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year Honours list for services to music and drama.

This year the 38-year-old will play Dracula in an adaptation of the novel in London’s West End and is expected to be Oscar nominated for her role in Wicked: For Good.

Other viewers pointed out that there was no reference to Ozzy Osbourne after the Black Sabbath heavy metal singer died in July aged 76.

X user Mike Garwood from Northampton wrote: ‘The fireworks in London tonight were boring as hell. How could they not include Ozzy Osbournebut feature a f***ing advert for Wicked? What a complete misfire. The worst to date.’

Another tweeted: ‘Wicked got a big mention, yet not a single mention or tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. Not even a quick ‘ALL ABOOOOAARRDDD!’ Disappointing.’

And a third said: ‘So the best the UK had to offer in 2025 was women’s rugby, football and golf? No tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, but we celebrate Wicked? Wow! Worst display I’ve ever seen! Shameful.’

A fourth wrote: ‘So Wicked made the cut, but Ozzy Osbourne, a British icon, didn’t.’ And a fifth tweeted: ‘No Ozzy but a f***ing ad for Wicked, what a cop out.’

A sixth tweeted: ‘Love how we missed out British things that happened this year like Lando being the new F1 British world champion, Oasis coming back and Ozzy Osbourne tribute for a wicked promo. Guess we really need that money if we are willing to advertise a film.’

The display was set to a soundtrack which also included the likes of Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay and featuring voice overs from Celia Imrie, Andrew Cotter and Alison Hammond.

Among the feats acknowledged in the display were England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph, the Lionesses retaining the Euros and Europe’s Ryder Cup win.

As well as the thousands in attendance, millions around the world watched live as London welcomed in 2026 with fireworks, lighting, music and animation.

More than 12,000 fireworks and more than 400 lights illuminated the night sky around the London Eye, in what is the largest annual firework display in Europe.

As well as celebrating national achievements of the last 12 months, the display also referenced last summer being the UK’s hottest on record and featured a nod to the social media ‘tea-time alarm’ meme that suggested there is a daily alarm reminding British people to enjoy a cup of tea.

In a press release about the fireworks, the Mayor’s office said: ‘The 2025 smash hit film Wicked: For Good featured as part of a unique event partnership with Universal Pictures to celebrate the cinematic release of the epic conclusion to 2024’s global cultural phenomenon, Wicked.’

Erika Lewington, marketing director for Universal Pictures UK and Eire, said: ‘Wicked: For Good celebrates the power of friendship and the incredible change that happens when people unite.

‘We’re proud to partner with the Greater London Authority to bring that message to life at the London New Year’s Eve fireworks – an unforgettable moment of light, music, and togetherness at the heart of the city.’

And a statement from Sir Sadiq said: ‘I’m delighted that we have once again shown why London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are the greatest in the world.

‘The eyes of the globe were looking on as we lit up our famous skyline with our best-ever display of fireworks and lighting, all to an incredible soundtrack.

‘From celebrating our wonderful year of women’s sport and Europe beating the USA in the Ryder Cup, to celebrating our diversity and looking ahead to a fantastic 2026, we’ve sent the message that London will always be a city of hope and a place for everyone.’

The Mayor’s press release also said the Greater London Authority ‘worked with BBC Studios Events and the London Eye, and an event partnership with Universal, to deliver the New Year’s Eve fireworks’.

The show and event was produced by Identity, with Titanium Fireworks, On The Sly, Kojo Samuel, Tim Routledge, LCR, Delta Live and Pixel Artworks.