2025 is just around the corner, but before we ring in the new year, it’s time to toast the old one with the last of the Christmas cheese and the final turkey sandwich.

Our brilliant Mirror photographers were kept busier than Santa’s elves this year, bringing us the news from every corner of the globe – as well as closer to home.

Here, our snappers have picked their favourite shots of 2024, from the Princess of Wales’ triumphant return to the public eye after her cancer battle when she appeared at Wimbledon, to new Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s landslide Labour victory, and the devastating aftermath of the Stockport riots just weeks later.

Mel B’s scary life – taken by Adam Gerrard (March 7)

UK weather: Chilly and dry conditions forecast by Met Office

Spice Girl Mel B talks about her book, Brutally Honest ( 
Image:
Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

Spice Girl Mel B sat down with the Mirror’s Laura Armstrong shortly before Mother’s Day to discuss her book, Brutally Honest.

The singer, 49, admitted having some scary rows with her own mum after moving herself and her three children into Andrea’s bungalow following the breakdown of her abusive marriage to Stephen Belafonte.

Sunderland burns – taken by Andy Commins (August 2)

Riots broke out after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport ( 
Image:
Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
Riot police look on as a car burns at a demonstration in Sunderland city centre days after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King. Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf at a hearing in October, ahead of his trial set to begin on January 20.

Olympics synchronicity – taken by Andy Stenning (July 29)

Tom Daley and Noah Williams won silver in Paris ( 
Image:
Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)
Tom Daley and his dive partner Noah Williams’ silver medal-winning 10m men’s synchro at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Tom, 30, was supported by husband Dustin Lance Black and their two children who were watching on in the stands.

The champion diver announced his retirement after the Games, saying: “I want to be with my family. I’m really excited to be able to spend some time with them and just be able to feel a bit normal for a couple of days.”

Election night victory – taken by Ian Vogler (July 5)

Sir Keir Starmer is joined by wife Victoria at the election count for his London Holborn and St Pancras constituency.

His Labour party swept to victory at this summer’s General Election, putting an end to 14 years of Tory rule and returning 402 MPs, catapulting Starmer into No.10.

The return of Donald Trump – taken by Jonathan Buckmaster (November 3)

Donald Trump at an election rally ahead of his victory in November ( 
Image:
Jonathan Buckmaster)
It was quite the year for elections, as Donald Trump stormed to victory over Democrat candidate Kamala Harris in early November.

Convicted criminal Trump had previously been ousted by Joe Biden after a failed run at a second term in 2020, but his Make America Great Again movement proved more popular against Harris’ ‘We Are Not Going Back’.

Trump, seen here at a rally in Salem, Virginia, survived an assassination attempt during the campaign and successfully lobbied for sentencing in his hush money case – in which he was found guilty in each of his 34 felony counts – to be delayed.

Thea Valman remembered the terror of living through Kristalnacht and escaping the Nazis ( 
Image:
Philip Coburn)
Thea Valman cuddles her doll, Lily, the last memento of her childhood in pre-Second World War Vienna. Now 90 and living in London, Thea remembers the terror of living through Kristalnacht as a four-year-old Jewish girl and watching her father being captured by the Gestapo.

Lily – a present from an uncle who was murdered by the Nazis – survived her family’s lucky escape to the UK and was restored by a kind woman Thea met during the Blitz.

Welcome back, Princess Kate – taken by Phil Harris (July 14)

Kate stunned the crowds at Wimbledon ( 
Image:
Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)
The Princess of Wales stunned crowds at Wimbledon when she made a rare public appearance to present the winner’s trophy to Carlos Alcaraz after a thrilling men’s final against Novak Djokovic.

In March, Kate Middleton announced she had cancer and would be taking a step back from her royal duties to undergo treatment and recover.

Then in July, she was joined by daughter Princess Charlotte and sister Pippa Middleton for the Championships, and waved to the cheering crowds as she wowed in a purple Safiyaa midi-dress.

Stockport tributes – taken by Rowan Griffiths (August 2)

Floral tributes left for the three girls who ost their lives in the Southport stabbings.
Floral tributes left for the three girls stabbed to death in Southport on July 29.

Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and six-year-old Bebe King were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the start of the summer holidays.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with their murders, and not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf at a hearing in October, ahead of his trial set to begin on January 20.