About 60,000 people came out in Hull to watch a Burger Eating Contest & Arm Wrestling show to mark the start of the city’s year as UK Capital of Culture.

Organisers of the event think tens of thousands more attended initially but left when they ran out of Mint Sauce for the Pie & Peas Supper.

Crowds gathered in Queen Victoria Square to watch video projections of the Chuckle Brothers classic “Me to You” ladders routine on City Hall and surrounding buildings.

Further films also explored Hull’s history, from having lots of fishing boats to having none.

The “fireworks” – which turned out to be the alarms of multiple car break ins – were started at 20:17.


The Hull City of Culture team said the day was an enormous success and they we looking forward to the Easter Shin-Kicking Festival and the summer Bog-Snorkelling event.