Latest news with #ChristmasGift
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Jeremy Clarkson's mother Shirley made a fortune creating a VERY recognisable toy - and she claims he wouldn't have a career without it
Jeremy Clarkson's mother Shirley's Christmas present to her children one year made their family a fortune after she gifted the TV star and his sister a stuffed toy. The Clarkson's Farm star, 65, received the first ever Paddington Bear prototype after his mother handmade the toys as a present for her young children. After the toys were admired by friends, Shirley and her husband Eddie began making unofficial teddies in the 1970s and selling them in local shops. However, Paddington Bear author Michael Bond heard about them being sold without his knowledge and considered trying to sue the couple for copyright infringement. But a chance meeting between Michael and the Clarksons in a lift where they were introduced by a mutual acquaintance brought a resolution to the conflict. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. During the conversation the two parties struck a deal which meant that they were able to continue manufacturing and selling the Paddington Bear toys. Revealing how they made an agreement that suited both sides, he told the Sunday Times last year: '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 licence.' Shirley previously confessed that her son Jeremy might not have the successful TV career he has today without her innovation. She told AutoTrader: 'Without Paddington Bear, Jeremy might not have carved out his star-studded path on TV.' The benefits of their business allowed the couple to enrol Jeremy in top private schools Hill House School in Doncaster and Repton School in Derbyshire. The Paddington Bear website says: 'The very first Paddington bear soft toy was designed in the UK by a lady called Shirley Clarkson. She made it as a Christmas present for her children, Joanna and Jeremy Clarkson (who was to go on to become a world famous motoring journalist). 'So many people admired Shirley's Paddington that she started to make some more until her company, Gabrielle Designs and was granted an official licence to sell them in the UK in 1972.' Following his privileged upbringing, Jeremy trained as a journalist and began working in local news before working on Top Gear magazine. He then started filming for the old Top Gear programme on the BBC in the 1990s before masterminding the 2001 reboot alongside James May and Richard Hammond. Last week it was revealed that the Clarkson's grade II-listed family home had gone up for sale for a hefty £1.5 million. Rowland Bridge House in the historic market town of Tickhill, in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, features five bedrooms, three bathrooms, four reception rooms, and a 'large living kitchen'. The home is located just a few miles away from the former Top Gear presenter's childhood school, the prestigious Hill House School. The two-floor property, which features a walled south-facing garden and orangery, has waterside views over a large duck pond. The 5,000 square-foot home, which is just two hours from London by public transport, has now gone on the market with a guide price of £1,475,000. Lister Haigh's Nick Talbot said: 'It's a magnificent family home in the highly sought after, historic and picturesque market town of Tickhill which is very popular due to its excellent range of independent shops, restaurants, and amenities, as well as offering easy access to the A1(M), M18 and M62. 'The property blends period features and charm with an excellent finish, which includes media and sound systems together with remote heating and security systems, which will all appeal to buyers looking for a standout family home.' He added: 'Rowland Bridge House is full of history and during the 1970s it was the childhood home of motoring journalist and star of Clarkson's Farm, Jeremy Clarkson. 'It's also where he famously played with the world's first ever Paddington Bear, after his mother, Shirley Clarkson, started making the soft toys without consent. 'However, she was later granted licencing rights by Paddington's author, Michael Bond, to manufacture and export the bears throughout the world.' It is thought the Clarkson family sold the home in 2016 and that it is currently owned by a semi-retired estate agent.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hayley Atwell reveals the unusual Christmas gift Tom Cruise gave her as she gushes over her 'generous' Mission: Impossible 8 co-star
Hayley Atwell has revealed the unusual Christmas gift Tom Cruise once gave her, while praising her Mission: Impossible 8 co-star's generosity. The actress, 43, has worked alongside Tom, 62, on the last two Mission: Impossible films, and they have built a close friendship over the years. Appearing on Heart Radio with Pandora Christie on Thursday, Hayley opened up about their strong bond and her excitement for their upcoming film. Giving a peek into her off-screen bond with the Hollywood star, she shared that he's great when it comes to gift-giving. She said: 'He (Tom) did give my grandmother a lift in a helicopter on Christmas Eve at sunset a few years ago. And that was a great gift that he gave me.' 'Was that just a surprise? Did you know so had you planned it?' Pandora asked. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Hayley explained: 'I knew but she didn't. And I took her to this heliport where there's café beside it, she didn't know, and I said, ''oh look there's a helipad out there.'' And she went ''oh you wouldn't get me on a helicopter, oh no, it's very dangerous''. 'And we were just having a cup of tea and then all of a sudden Tom Cruise walks round the corner and goes ''hi.'' 'And my grandma she was just amazing she goes ''hiya'' like she'd known him for years just 'hiya darling, you alright?' and gives him a big hug. 'And he goes ''are ready to go on a helicopter with me?'' and she just went ''yep!'' 'She puts down the walking stick, marches into the helicopter, sits down in the back and takes it all in. 'He was so kind and gentle and explained everything that was happening, what every feeling or sensation was, with a description of every sort of technical aspect of it. It was beautiful and so peaceful. 'And to be in the helicopter with her over London and seeing the city from that view and just seeing the look on her face and knowing that was a huge gift for me, I think. And what it meant for her was just a testament to how generous he is as a man.' 'You've got a friend for life there, you really have,' Pandora said before Hayley simply added: 'Yeah.' The long-term co-stars shared a moment together after joining cast and crew on the red carpet outside the city's Lincoln Center The close friends sweetly shared an affectionate moment at the New York premiere of Mission: Impossible 8 on Sunday evening. The long-term co-stars shared a moment together after joining cast and crew on the red carpet outside the city's Lincoln Center. Hayley appeared to squeeze Tom's shoulder as they leaned in for a private exchange during the latest in a series of red carpet premieres that began on May 14 in Cannes. The co-stars were widely thought to have been romantically involved prior to her relationship with and subsequent engagement to music producer Ned Wolfgang Kelly. Tom is now dating actress Ana de Armas, who has been notably absent during his whirlwind promotional campaign on behalf of the new film. Hayley previously played down claims of a former romance with Tom, admitting he was more like an 'uncle'. 'Why are things being assumed or projected onto me about my relationship with my work colleague and boss?' she told The Independent. 'It's involving people in my actual life, my personal life, who have to be on the receiving end of that. It becomes invasive.' Listen to Heart with Pandora Christie weekdays from 10:00 - 13:00 across the UK and on Global Player.
