Bradford was selected from a record-breaking 20 bids to be named the UK City of Culture. The city fought off competition from County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough to clinch the title in May 2022.

Whoever decided to hold Bradford’s City of Culture launch outdoors in January, after dark and in subzero temperatures, was either a born optimist or someone deeply in touch with the Bradfordian psyche.

The TV magician told the crowd how he started his career doing street magic exactly where they were all standing