Why the London Eye is going backwards in time this weekend

By Alice Fuller

Everyone gets an extra hour in bed on Sunday [27 October] but it’s not just the clocks that are turning back this weekend.

For the first time in its 20-year history the London Eye changed direction to mark the clocks going back for the end of British Summer Time.

The Southbank landmark rotated backwards for an hour on Friday [25 October] and competition winners were invited on board to experience the first ever reverse spin.

The stunt also featured a light show which transformed the wheel into a clock ahead of the clockwise rotation.

Good Morning Britain’s weather presenter Laura Tobin was there to press the button.

London Eye general manager Sunny Jouhal said: “We are proud to be world-famous for offering the most panoramic views of London and creating exciting moments for our guests, while also being an iconic part of the London skyline.

“This year we wanted to mark the end of British Summer Time with an all-time first experience, rotating the London Eye in reverse to showcase the iconic view from a new perspective.”

The clocks go back at 2am Greenwich Mean Time on Sunday so 2am will become 1am.

The British Summer Time Act was introduced 47 years ago and turning the clocks back is designed to evening daylight hours.

European Parliament voted to scrap the twice-yearly custom by 2021. The change will apply to the UK if it remains in the European Union.