November 15th 2024.
Title: Jeremy Clarkson's Surprising Connection to Paddington Bear Revealed
Credit: PA
Jeremy Clarkson, known for his grumpy demeanor and love for cars and farming, may seem like an unlikely match for Paddington Bear, the kind-hearted bear with a marmalade addiction. But as it turns out, the two have more in common than meets the eye.
In fact, if it weren't for Paddington Bear, Jeremy may not have become the star of popular shows like Clarkson's Farm and Top Gear. It all started when Jeremy's mother, Shirley Clarkson, made the very first Paddington Bear soft toys as a Christmas present for Jeremy and his sister Joanna when they were children.
Shirley's creations were a hit, and she began selling them. However, her venture almost came to an end when the character's creator, Michael Bond, considered legal action. Shirley had not asked for permission to use Paddington's likeness. But fate intervened when Bond bumped into Shirley and her husband Eddie in a lift. They became fast friends, and Bond officially awarded Shirley's company the license to make Paddington Bear products.
In a 2014 interview with The Sunday Times, Bond said, "I got in the lift with Shirley and Eddie. They were terribly nice and pretended it had all been a mistake - and we were friends by the time we got out of the lift. I gave them a license."
Thanks to Shirley's ingenuity, Jeremy and his sister were able to attend private school, leading to Jeremy's successful career in show business. In 2022, one of Shirley's original Paddington Bear creations even appeared on an episode of BBC's Antiques Roadshow.
During the show, expert Mark Hill explained that the toy was one of the first licensed Paddington products. It was designed by Shirley for her company, Gabrielle Designs, and was originally made as a Christmas present for her children in 1971. Interestingly, her children are Joanna and Jeremy Clarkson.
The surprised guest who brought the toy to the show also shared that he has always been a fan of bears and has a collection of them in various costumes. He even joked that the Paddington Bear sits in his office and keeps an eye on his typing.
Last week, the third film in the popular Paddington Bear franchise, Paddington in Peru, was released in cinemas to great success. This time, Paddington grapples with the concept of belonging as he balances his new home with the Browns and his longing for his Aunt Lucy.
Metro's film critic Tori Brazier gave the film four out of five stars, praising its ability to capture the joy and misadventures of Paddington with a light touch. The film's release prompted a republishing of this article, first published in May 2022.
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