Google has revealed the UK’s most searched topics in 2024.After Oasis announced they were reuniting for a UK tour back in August, they instantly became the most searched musicians of the year, with ‘how to get Oasis tickets’ the second top trending ‘how to’ question of the year.
Loads of us also asked when the US presidential election would be and searched for teenage darts sensation Luke Littler as he made history as the youngest player to reach the PDC World Championship final in January.Here are a few more of the top searches that defined 2024 in the UK.NewsHope, determination, and in the end, disappointment, fuelled the month of July when England’s men’s football team made the final of Euro 2024 in Germany, making it the most searched term of the year.The tournament gripped the nation as the Three Lions were on the cusp of winning a major final on foreign soil for the first time, before being beaten 2-1 by Spain.The tragic death of One Direction star Liam Payne was the second most searched-for news topic of the year, according to Google.Jay Slater, the British teenager who went missing on the Spanish island of Tenerife, was also widely searched for after his disappearance sparked an extensive rescue mission and online fundraiser before his body was recovered 29 days later.The hunt for TV doctor Michael Mosley, who was found dead after going missing on the Greek island of Symi, was also of huge interest.1. Euros2. Liam Payne3. Jay Slater4. Michael Mosley5. US Election6. Kate Middleton7. Baby Reindeer8. Olympics9. Oasis tickets10. Fool Me Once
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Pic: Reuters
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Jay Slater. Pic: LBT Global/Slater family
PeopleThe prolonged absence of the Princess of Wales from royal duties sparked online speculation and conspiracy theories earlier this year. The subsequent announcement that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy also had the UK searching for Kate more than any other person this year.President-elect Donald Trump closely followed on the list, beating the likes of Sir Keir Starmer, who led the Labour Party into Downing Street, putting an end to 14 years of Conservative rule, and the King, who was also diagnosed with cancer this year.1. Kate Middleton2. Donald Trump3. Luke Littler4. Keir Starmer5. Imane Khelif6. Alan Hansen7. King Charles8. Richard Gadd9. Michelle Keegan10. Yung Filly
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From September: Kate ‘focused on staying cancer free’
DeathsThe unexpected death of One Direction star Liam Payne back in October sparked huge interest. The 31-year-old died after he fell from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.1. Liam Payne2. Jay Slater3. Michael Mosley4. Steve Wright5. Maggie Smith6. Robin Windsor7. Donald Sutherland8. Shannen Doherty9. Kevin Campbell10. James Earl Jones
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Liam Payne in 2023. Pic: AP
FilmIn a year full of cinematic sequels, it was Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the gothic comedy follow-up to the 1988 hit of a similar name, that people searched the most this year. Other notable sequels to make the list included Dune: Part Two and the long-awaited Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott.1. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice2. It Ends With Us3. Inside Out 24. Dune: Part Two5. Deadpool & Wolverine6. Alien: Romulus7. Gladiator II8. Poor Things9. Madame Web10. Joker: Folie A DeuxTV showsIt was Emmy-award-winning series Baby Reindeer that led searches in the world of television, with the show sparking an online frenzy over the real-life identities of some of the characters.The Netflix series, that follows the life of Donny Dunn, a barman and struggling comedian who is stalked by a woman called Martha Scott, maintained interest off-screen as Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey was named as the “real Martha”.Ms Harvey later said she had been “forced” to come forward after receiving online death threats from “internet sleuths” – and filed a $170m (£127m) lawsuit claiming the story was inaccurate and had falsely accused her of being a convicted stalker.1. Baby Reindeer2. Fool Me Once3. The Gentlemen4. One Day5. Fallout6. Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story7. Rivals8. The Perfect Couple9. Mr Bates Vs The Post Office10. Until I Kill You
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Baby Reindeer stars Jessica Gunning and Richard Gadd with their awards at the Emmys. Pic: AP/Jae C Hong
MusiciansThe reunion which some thought would never happen was finally confirmed this summer, with Noel and Liam Gallagher confirming rumours that the band were getting back on the road next year. The duo initially announced a 14-date UK and Ireland tour, which has since grown to dates around the world, kicking off in Cardiff next July.Other notable searches included Raye, who picked up a history-making six Brit Awards, including ones for best artist, best song and best album.1. Oasis2. Sabrina Carpenter3. One Direction4. Dave Grohl5. Raye6. Coldplay7. Chappell Roan8. Linkin Park9. Justin Timberlake10. Cyndi Lauper
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Pic: Oasis X account
AthletesIt comes as no surprise that the likes of Jude Bellingham and Simone Biles were among the most searched athletes of the year, but topping the list was darts player Luke Littler.Despite the 17-year-old losing out to Luke Humphries at the PDC World Championships, he has gone on to claim the Premier League title and win the Grand Slam of Darts – achievements he claims have been fuelled by his love for kebabs and ham and cheese omelettes.1. Luke Littler2. Lamine Yamal3. Simone Biles4. Jude Bellingham5. Adam Peaty6. Anthony Joshua7. Ollie Watkins8. Chris Hoy9. Cole Palmer10. Nico Williams
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Luke Littler. Pic: BIC via PA
‘When is…’The race for the White House got people in the UK talking this year, with many asking when the US presidential election would be. But perhaps even more surprising was the nation’s interest in when they could watch ITV soap Coronation Street, which was searched for far more than the date of the UK’s general election.1. The US election2. The budget3. The Euros final4. Coronation Street on this week5. Mike Tyson v Jake Paul6. England playing next7. Traitors on8. The solar eclipse9. The general election10. The World Cup
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Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Pics: Reuters/AP
‘How to…’Despite little concern for when the general election was, many people were interested in how they could participate in it, with the question ‘how to vote in the UK’ topping searches.Other popular “how to” questions asked by Britons included how to watch Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s bout in the ring, as well as ‘how to see the Northern Lights’ which were visible far more often in the UK than in previous years – and led to some spectacular snaps.1. Vote in the UK2. Get Oasis tickets3. Watch Fury vs Usyk4. Watch Tyson vs Paul5. Make a pornstar martini6. Watch the Olympics7. See the Northern Lights8. Block someone on TikTok9. How to make life in infinite craft10. Vote for the UK in Eurovision