Joe Lycett's speech as he marks first International Day of Birmingham with local celebrities

The comic took to Victoria Square to raise a newly-designed United States of Birmingham flag

Joe Lycett was joined by local celebrities at Birmingham's council house and in Victoria Square this afternoon to mark the inaugural International Day of Birmingham. The event, which we reported on live with pictures and video here, coincided with the filming of the Kings Heath comedian's new Sky show in which he visits places called Birmingham in the United States of America.

Joe and the council invited Brummies to join them from 3pm for the celebration which saw Joe and delegates from other Birminghams in the US arrive by the famous No.11 bus. They then paraded into the council house, led by cheerleaders from the Birmingham Tigers, dhol drummers, a bull designed like a Chinese dragon and a life-sized effigy of Mr Egg.

Local drag legends Ginny Lemon, Yshee Black and Don One were a prominent feature of the parade too, as were the Heavy Beat Brass Band who led Brummies in a version of Iron Man by Black Sabbath, Pass The Dutchie by Musical Youth and Red Red Wine by UB40.

READ MORE: Birmingham city centre live as crowds gather in square

International Day of Birmingham with Joe Lycett

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It was understood that members of Black Sabbath, UB40 and Dexys Midnight Runners attended the civic ceremony in the council house, though that took place behind closed doors. Arriving to greet the crowds in a frilly pink, yellow and blue outfit that matched the newly-designed flag, Joe took to the stage to give a speech.

He said: "Friends, Brummies, rubberneckers from Wolverhampton! I have travelled the world visiting Birminghams in different countries, though mainly in America because that's where they all are."

Joe's travels across the US will screen on Sky Max next year. It's believed the parade and raising of the flag were the show's finale.

Joe continued: "Birmingham Alabama is the biggest Birmingham in America. It's not as big as our Birmingham so we win on that front. But it's very similar to Birmingham UK in that they feel overlooked and that people ignore them and say they're not as good as the cities around them but they know they're the best city, just like we know we're the best city!

"I've been to a lot of Birminghams but I didn't go to these places for no reason like John Bishop would. I went to sign deeds of friendship in order to create a United States of Birmingham that can finally punch its weight on the world stage. By 'punch its weight' I mean 'punch not very much weight'.

"So today, and on every September 24, is the International Day of Birmingham, a day I have to arrange to celebrate the bonds that unite Birminghams all over the world. I expect in time it'll become as popular, if not Christmas then at least something like Maundy Thursday.

"Let us chant, Brummies around the world on this very first International Day of Birmingham, the Cry of the Brummie, that it may echo the world over."

Joe then led the Brummie crowd in a cheer of: "ALRIGHT BAB! ALRIGHT BAB! OWAMYA BAB? OH AR I'M BOSTIN!" before raising the flag. Celebrations continued afterwards, with dancing on Victoria Square, led by the band.