13 million watch Big Ben chime in 2013

Over 13 million tuned in to see the fireworks spectacular on television at midnight.

New Year Live on BBC One was watched by an average of 10.3 million viewers from 11.40pm, peaking at 13.3 million at the stroke of midnight. Another several hundred thousand watched the bongs during ITV News on ITV1.

Jools’ Annual Hootenanny on BBC Two held an impressive 2.3 million viewers from 11.05pm. The musical show has been a fixture on New Year’s Eve since 1993 and is pre-recorded in advance.

In the capital, London, over 250,000 packed the banks of the River Thames to watch the fireworks display. If you missed bongs and fireworks last night you can click here to watch.