Celebrity celebrations

[Huckerbys right foot]

As Sunderland failed in their attempt to take all three points at Crystal Palace, cheers and choruses of On The Ball City rang around homes and pubs across Norfolk and beyond as it became clear that the Canaries' nine-year exile from top flight football had finally come to an end.

And with the City reserve team in action at Carrow Road last night, about 3000 fans were at the ground to celebrate as the news of Sunderland's failure to win filtered through.

So it will be the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United visiting Carrow Road next season instead of Gillingham, Cardiff and Crewe.

The Carrow Road faithful can now turn their attention to turning Sat-urday's game at Watford into a massive party – and concentrate on putting the icing on the promotion cake by winning the First Division championship as well.

City have already done it in style this season. Goalkeeper Robert Green is on the verge of a Euro 2004 call-up for England, star striker Darren Huck-erby is widely regarded as one of the best players outside the top flight, and City's def-ence has been rock solid all season.

And best of all, promotion has included doing the double over arch East Anglian rivals, Ipswich Town.

As the good wishes poured in last night, perhaps actor Stephen Fry summed it up best.

He said: "God bless Worthy, God bless every single player. It's wonderful for the region and wonderful for all of us who adore our mighty yellow army. I'm so happy I could wet myself!"

Mr Fry added: "We began to believe it around Christmas time. Something seemed to be going right. Huckerby was going to stay, Svensson arrived, and at the back everyone was connecting as well as any team in the country.

"Could it possibly happen? Historically we've often been so good for the first half of the season only to fall away in the New Year. But this time we just got better and better and better. It comes from incredibly hard work: training, more training, planning, training and that magical thing, self-belief."

Canary-mad Ed Balls – special adviser to Chancellor Gordon Brown - was flying to Washington for the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and had to wait until well after the final whistle at Selhurst Park to get the joyful news.

Before leaving he said: "I am about to get on a plane to go to America so I won't find out till about 11.30pm, but if we have been promoted I shall wake up all my relatives in Norfolk and plan some celebrations for the Preston game.

"I will also ring Phil Webster, who is the political editor at The Times, to get all the info on the game. Me and him have an arrangement whereby if one of us misses a game the other one fills them in."

"Unfortunately, even Norwich being promoted is not enough of a reason to use your phone during a flight!"

Children's BBC presenter Jake Humphrey – who has followed City since he moved to Norwich aged nine - said: "It is an unbelievable feeling. I am really proud to tell everyone on TV that I'm a Norwich fan and children have even told me they support the team because of me! It's wicked. I'm looking forward to the last home game against Preston which will be an absolute party

"I wish Joe Royle all the best for next season at home to Crewe!"

Jake is already planning how to wear his Norwich shirt during Saturday morning's live show.

Norwich North MP Dr Ian Gibson, who saw the Sunderland game last night, said: "I went to Prime Minister's Question Time earlier and just couldn't concentrate. At last we can establish a good position in the league and hold it."

Norwich snooker star Barry Pinches is helping put the city on the map himself by beating Jimmy White at the Embassy World Championships and showing his soccer allegiance by wearing a yellow and green waistcoat.

He told the EDP from Sheffield: "I am delighted at promotion. I love Norwich and the city and this is great news. It is amazing how many people have spoken to me about my waistcoat!"

The Bishop of Norwich the Rt Rev Graham James said: "It's a huge boost to the city's and the county's spirit to have a successful and community-minded football club. Norwich is a premier city. I'm delighted it will again have a premiership club. Congratulations to everyone involved."

Gorleston classical musician and former Hear'Say singer Myleene Klass said: "It's brilliant news. I'm really keen to go to another game, but I'm worried because they always seem to lose when I go!"