Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
AT MY PAD didn’t leave with Michael ...he’s a member of the family and still part of all our lives
airs window. And the three ladies sit h a 1970s Paddington figure, one of first pieces of bear memorabilia. here is also that very first bear, gifted renda, which Michael, then working a Blue Peter BBC cameraman, chased on Christmas Eve. he family has never let anyone see or even describe him. t is too personal,” explains Brenda, ng my disappointed face and teasing: sn’t like Paddington, much smaller.” his toy was christened simply Bear, Michael needed him by his side n writing Paddington. e and Brenda “shared custody” of after they amicably divorced. nd he needed him with him at the ” she recalls, gently. Bear would often sit at the dining table, Michael relaying what “Bear was saying”.
He even perched on Michael’s gravestone during the family’s private memorial.
Brenda also recalls the first time
Paddington was put down on paper, around 10 days after
Bear’s arrival.
Michael had previously published short stories, his first written in 1945 while he was stationed with the Army in Cairo, Egypt, but this was his breakthrough.
She says: “I got home from work and he handed me a manuscript.
“I knew from page one it was something very special. The book was written in 10 days. I had a story a day.
“He would send me into a different room, give me the script, and count how many times I laughed. If I didn’t laugh enough he re-wrote it!”
Bond spent every day writing – even Christmas Day.
He penned other hits, including Olga da Polga, based on his first pet guinea pig, Olga – replaced with many new Olgas down the years.
(Sue still has an Olga today, and will continue the tradition.)
But it was Paddington, portrayed in more than 150 titles, translated into more than 40 languages, who remained the star. His longevity – a new TV animation will be shown next year – is perhaps down to his inclusive character.
Karen explains: “Paddington came from darkest Peru, he was accepted here. And he brings people together, from every background, creed. Michael was upset by Brexit and politics in general. We always used to avoid Paddington quoting on anything political, but I think he would give an awful lot of hard stares at the moment!”
Ultimately though, to her father, Paddington simply became a friend.
The author’s headstone reads: “Please look after this bear. Thank you.”
All three women agreed on the poignant wording.
But it sounds very much as if Michael’s furry best pal had a say too.
Paddington: The Man Behind The Bear airs on Boxing Day on BBC Two at 9pm.