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.

Thousands of people braved sub-zero temperatures to watch an open-air spectacle starring magician Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, a 10-year-old rapper and a dozen aerial dancers to launch Bradford's year as UK City of Culture.