Latest news with #MichaelBond
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
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jeremy Clarkson's Grade-II listed childhood home where world's first Paddington Bear was made goes up for sale
Jeremy Clarkson 's Grade II-listed childhood home - and the birth of the world's first Paddington Bear - has 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 Clarkson family moved to the 17th-century detached home in 1987. The 65-year-old lived there with his mum Shirley, who created the world's first 'plush' Paddington Bear, initially without permission from the character's creator, Michael Bond. 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. The home comes complete with a range of Miele appliances and even includes an Aga cooker, as well as a laundry and utilities room. It also includes a security system, integrated multimedia system, smart heating, and an outdoor kitchen. The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with a detached roll-top bath, and a dressing room. Other features of the house are a conservatory, a detached garage block with a workshop, a gardener's toilet and a self-contained office and gym. Lister Haigh's Nick Talbot said: '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'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.' It is thought the Clarkson family sold the home in 2016 and that it is currently owned by a semi-retired estate agent.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to buy Paddington the Musical tickets
The UK's favourite bear — sorry, Rupert — is finally making his way to the West End stage in 2025, with Paddington the Musical officially announced for its London premiere. In the wake of the continued adoration for Michael Bond's books, as well as the very successful film franchise, it's no surprise that Paddington's unique charm is taking on yet another medium. Paddington the Musical has some big names behind it, with the book written by talented stage scribe Jessica Swale. She has form for adapting classic English literature, having transported Far from the Madding Crowd and The Secret Garden to the stage. Swale also wrote and directed the 2020 movie Summerland. She's joined, though, by someone even more prominent. The music for the show comes from the pen of Tom Fletcher — best known for his work as part of the band McFly. Fletcher comes with serious pop pedigree, as well as plenty of experience in telling stories for kids thanks to his bestselling children's books including The Christmasaurus. The bear seems to be in very good hands. Buy Paddington the Musical tickets Paddington the Musical will come to the West End on 1 November 2025, with the show taking up residence at the Savoy Theatre. The venue is currently home to the Mean Girls musical and will host a brief season of the show Burlesque before handing over to Paddington in the autumn. Anybody who wants to be in one of the first audiences to see Paddington the Musical can buy tickets now via Ticketmaster and ATG Tickets. Paddington will now join the ranks of the big family musicals currently packing out theatres in the West End, alongside Frozen and the all-time classic The Lion King. Michael Bond's original 1958 book A Bear Called Paddington provides the inspiration for the show, which will tell the well-known story of Paddington's arrival in London from darkest Peru. The book then follows Paddington through a series of low-key adventures, as opposed to the film which saw him take on Nicole Kidman as a taxidermist out to kill and stuff him. The musical seems more likely to focus on some of Bond's original stories, which follow Paddington on adventures like his first trip to the theatre, a visit to the seaside, and as he attempts to mark his first birthday with the Browns by putting on a magic show. Swale told the BBC that the team is "bringing a lot of new flavours to the table" in terms of the storytelling and plot. She said: "Of course the Browns are part of it, and familiar faces like Mr Gruber and Mr Curry, but there are a lot of new people as well. We've been very inspired by the books and the films but we like to think we're covering new territory." Watch: Teaser trailer for Paddington the Musical All involved in the musical are acutely aware of how important Paddington is to people, with Fletcher saying: "This unique and special bear is at the very heart of our nation, and I'm aware of the awesome responsibility we all have in taking on his story. It's beyond exciting, and an absolute dream come true." Swale added: "Paddington is so much more than a fictional character; this special bear has come to represent hope, kindness and acceptance, so it's never felt like a more apt time to bring this story to the stage." Paddington fans can now start getting excited to see the bear make his debut on the West End stage. It sounds like he's in good hands with the creative team behind this project and, after all, the guiding light for any Paddington story is always the same: please look after this bear. No hard stares required. Paddington the Musical debuts at the Savoy Theatre in London on 1 November 2025.
Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
How Paddington Bear got his paws on a musical in London's West End
His journey in life has taken him from a forest in darkest Peru to a fictional London townhouse at 32 Windsor Gardens — but now Paddington Bear is coming to the West End. A musical starring Michael Bond's famous creation will open at the Savoy Theatre in London in November, and promises to explore 'the politics of Paddington'. It is being produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, the company behind West End hits such as the Book of Mormon and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The story, which has been in production for five years, will be based on Bond's original novels and follows the three successful films which featured Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington. Jessica Swale, the British scriptwriter for the
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Paddington Bear the Musical: West End show coming this year
Paddington is one of world's most famous bears, with his adventures told in the popular books written by author Michael Bond, lots of TV episodes and three huge movies. The loveable star will soon make his debut on a brand new stage. A musical about Paddington Bear, featuring music from McFly singer Tom Fletcher, is set to head to London's West End later this The Musical will launch at the Savoy Theatre on 1 November. What do we know about the musical so far? The musical has been created from the Michael Bond books and award-winning Paddington Bear films. It will follow marmalade obsessed Paddington as he travels from his homeland of Peru and lands in London, where he meets the Brown family and finds his new home. "It's an honour to be entrusted to bring the story of Paddington to life on stage..." said singer and author Tom Fletcher. "This unique and special bear is at the very heart of our nation, and I'm aware of the awesome responsibility we all have in taking on his story."It's beyond exciting, and an absolute dream come true." The cast of the musical will be announced at a later date ahead of its launch. What do you think about Paddington making his theatre debut? If you could see any fictional character in a musical, who would it be and why? You can let us know in the comments below.
