Peter Andre to headline New Year’s Day parade

Peter Andre will headline the central London show

Peter Andre will headline London's New Year’s Day Parade, it has been announced.

Andre will fly to the capital in the early hours of 1 January after a New Year's Eve show in Dubai to perform along the two-mile (about 3km) route through the West End.

The free event begins at 12:00 GMT near Green Park Station and runs to Parliament Square via Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.

"It’s such a beautiful honour," said Andre.

'Tip top talent'

"Headlining such an incredible event, for an enormous global audience, is going to be such brilliant fun," the 51-year-old said.

"There's people in the streets, we've got the live band on stage, it's just going to be great.

"It’s a real family event. It's for everyone to enjoy and bring in the new year in a very positive way."

The London Taiko Drummers will be the first performers in the parade

Parade executive director Joe Bone said there would be just under 10,000 performers in the parade.

"This year is spectacular," he said. "We’ve packed the parade, with tip top talent, there’s something for everyone and of all ages.

"Pearly kings and queens, stunt riders, you name it.

Parade executive director Joe Bone says there are just under 10,000 performers in the parade

"We've got 28 nationalities represented, it couldn’t be more diverse. It's a celebration, a giant party."

Sue Golding, Pearly Queen of Silvertown, is leading the parade.

She said: "The New Year’s Day Parade to us is just one of those magical events that happens. We absolutely love it.

"Keeping that history and that culture and that tradition going is so important to us all."

From left: Evie Walden, Pearly Consort, Sue Golding, Pearly Queen of Silvertown and Maudie Blackie-Kelly, Pearly Princess of Fulham

The parade line-up also includes 19 marching bands from the US, dance groups and cheerleaders.

Performers from the London boroughs will also be included.

Joji Hirota, from The London Taiko Drummers, said they would be the first performers of the parade.

"It's our first time joining the event," he said. "It’s very exciting. It's so amazing to be opening the event."