WE are in the dying embers of 2016.

Can’t say I’ll be sad to see the back of the year. It’s been a particularly bad one for the number of celebrities who died. Losing the likes of David Bowie, Terry Wogan, Victoria Wood and Prince takes some getting used to.

And personally 2016 was the year I lost my mum.

So I will be awaiting 2017 eagerly on Sunday.

Those of you who read this column regularly will know I like to herald a new year with what we can look forward to in the coming 12 months.

So here is my rundown for 2017.

There will be a total solar eclipse on August 21, the first of the 21st century for the United States.

Just in case you were worrying, rest assured that 2017 has been designated international year of sustainable tourism for development by the United Nations. Think we can all sleep easier at night knowing that.

Movie fans can look forward to some major blockbusters next year. I’m particularly looking forward to War of the Planet of the Apes, out in July. Also on the way is The Circle, starring Tom Hanks, and based on the sci-fi thriller by Dave Eggers.

Other choice cuts for all the family will be the Lego Ninjago Movie (my son’s excited about that), Paddington 2 (the first one was a lovely hit back in 2014), and inevitably Star Wars Episode VIII in December.

There are some significant anniversaries during 2017.

Stephen Hawking will celebrate his 75th birthday in January. August will mark the 55th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death, while it will be 40 years since Elvis Presley died and 20 since the passing of Princess Diana.

It will be 30 years since the Falklands War in April, and 20 years since we handed Hong Kong back to the Chinese.

January is the 40th anniversary of record company EMI dropping the Sex Pistols after they swore live on TV on ITV’s Today Show.

December will be the 50th anniversary of the first heart transplant.

Fifty years ago in January, Milton Keynes, a village in north Buckinghamshire, was formally designated as a new town by the government.

Christmas Day 2017 will be the 40th anniversary of the death of Charlie Chaplin.

Tech experts say 2017 will be the year that our technology truly becomes ‘smart’. We’ve had smart phones for many years now. But we can expect many more of our day-to-day technology to become truly ‘smart’, such as lighting and home appliances.

Whatever happens in 2017 and whatever you do in the coming 12 months, I hope you have a happy and prosperous time.

A happy New Year to you all.