Rich Waterworth, General Manager, UK & EU, TikTok
For many reasons, 2020 will be a year we will never forget. Across the UK, we've been faced with challenges we could have never predicted back in January, shaped by a tragic health crisis that has touched each and every one of us in different ways.
But throughout it all, there have been incredible moments of humanity and community, and I've been humbled that TikTok has been home to so many of those moments, bringing people together even when we felt so far apart.
As we approach the end of 2020, we wanted to take a moment to reflect and recognise our community for helping us get through a tough year.
Today, we're launching The TikTok 100, a collection of the creators, trends, tracks, effects and TikTok videos that have entertained, comforted, amazed and educated the TikTok community this year.
TikTok has become known as a place where anything can go viral - and The TikTok 100 testifies to that.
The most watched TikTok videos in the UK are a mixed bag of all the great and the good on TikTok. Topping the list is a Lion parading through a safari, showing that cats - the king of cats in fact - still continues to be what people want to watch on the internet.
Our second most watched UK video is a quarantine classic, with creators @BenandKexia spending hours creating a massive domino train in their home during lockdown.
The list also includes the many creators that joined TikTok this year and really made it their own. Tom Felton of Harry Potter fame is one of our Breakthrough Accounts, gaining a huge amount of followers in just a matter of months as people reimagined Draco Malfoy on TikTok as part of the #DracoTok trend.
Celebs like Andrew LLoyd Webber, Dua Lipa, Liam Payne and Ant & Dec have all brought their creativity and comedy to our platform this year, making the most of our creative effects and engaging with fans in unique and new ways.
Whether it's duetting with fans, going behind the scenes, or sharing more about their personality through TikTok LIVEs, public figures across sport, music and the creative industries have embraced TikTok in 2020.
What's also surprised us this year is how much TikTok has come into its own as a platform for campaigning and change.
Our TikTok 100 recognises creators like @Nikkililly, @cheethamswithdreams and @michaeldapaah_ for their huge contribution in raising awareness about disabilities, equality and mental health.
As we look forward to 2021, our mission remains the same - we'll continue to inspire creativity and bring joy to people all over the UK and to our 100 million monthly active users across Europe.
The UK is a nation of creators and it's been incredible to see what our community has served up this year. And it's been great to see so many of you sharing your stories in the #My2020 challenge we've launched this week.
Thank you all for your contributions this year. We can't wait to see how you'll surprise us in 2021.
New to TikTok and want to see everything you've missed from a whirlwind year? Getting involved couldn't be easier, simply download the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.