13-05-2025
Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham moment city becomes 'official babs' with US namesakes
This is the moment Birmingham becomes 'official babs' with its American namesakes.
Brummie comic legend Joe Lycett travelled all over the US to form a "Treaty of Friendship" with the other Birminghams.
The funny Sky Max clip, shared exclusively with BirminghamLive ahead of tonight's United States of Birmingham episode, shows the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Ken Wood, sign each declaration to seal the special relationship.
READ MORE: Watch Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham featuring hilarious Black Country slang chat
There are 18 other Birminghams - 17 in the US and one in Canada.
Dad-of-one Joe visited most of them during a road trip with his driver Randy and a TV crew as part of Sky's new show.
An International Day of Birmingham also saw a colourful parade which ended outside the council offices in Victoria Square.
In part of the clip above, Joe tells Lord Mayor Ken: "I imagine this is what it was like at the Good Friday Agreement.
"Birmingham New Jersey - done. Birmingham Kansas, Birmingham Pennsylvania - done.
"Birmingham Ohio - officially friends."
Ken said: "You've certainly been getting around."
Joe responds: "I have. Birmingham Michigan, Birmingham Indiana."
READ MORE: International Day of Birmingham with Joe Lycett
Ken says: "We really are indebted to you for doing this Joe."
Joe: "Birmingham Alabama - the last one!"
Ken says: "There we have it then Joe - We now officially have The United States of Birmingham."
Joe responds: "Oh my word. I sort of can't believe it, what a moment. We should celebrate!"
A civic reception was organised along with a parade as part of the International Day of Birmingham on September 24, last year.
The man. The icon. The Brummie! Thank you @joelycett for being the catalyst behind the #InternationalDayOfBirmingham & the celebrations of it I presented Joe with the Lord Mayor's Award, for his outstanding achievements, exceptional service & charitable work in our city.
— Lord Mayor of Birmingham (@BrumLordMayor) September 27, 2024
Posting after the newly formed celebratory day, the Lord Mayor wrote on X: "The man. The icon. The Brummie!
"Thank you @joelycett for being the catalyst behind the #InternationalDayOfBirmingham & the celebrations of it."
"I presented Joe with the Lord Mayor's Award, for his outstanding achievements, exceptional service & charitable work in our city."
The final episode of Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham is Sky Max, from 9pm, tonight, Tuesday, May 13.
