PADDINGTON CREATOR MICHAEL BOND DIES AGED 91

PADDINGTON CREATOR MICHAEL BOND DIES AGED 91



Michael Bond, the creator of Paddington bear who has died at home at 91 after a short illness, revealed in one of his last interviews that he hoped the bear 'might come with me' when he passed away.

The author lived in the Little Venice area of West London, near Paddington train station which inspired his famous character, with his 74-year-old wife Sue.

The writer became a beloved giant of children's literature after his first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958 about the bear from Peru who wears a blue coat and loves marmalade.

In one of his last interviews, Bond told the Daily Mirror two months ago: 'I don't worry about death. I sort of feel it's good to get to 91 and I can't complain.

'And I hope Paddington might come with me, ­wherever we go. Up or down. It wouldn't be kind to tell Paddington to come with me if I was going down.'

English author Bond wrote 150 books in total, with 25 additional books about Paddington following his first effort.

Paddington star Hugh Bonneville said it was 'poignant' to learn of the much-loved author's death on the final day shooting the new movie about the 'lovable creation



In another publication in April, he said: 'Paddington sees things very straight and very simply. If you think about how he would react, it's probably the right way.'

In that interview in the New Statesman, Bond told how he was still working seven days a week from 9am but finished in time to watch Flog It! on BBC1 at 4.30pm



The author first came up with the idea for the small bear from Peru in 1956 while working as a BBC TV cameraman.

The idea led him to become known as one of the great children's writers of his time, his books having been on shelves ever since the first one was published.



As well as Paddington, Bond also wrote a children's TV series called The Herbs and a series of books about a guinea pig called Olga da Polga - inspired by his own pet.

He also wrote a string of novels for adults about a French detective called Monsieur Pamplemousse and various other titles including a guide to Paris.

More than 35 million Paddington books were sold worldwide and went on to inspire toys, TV shows and most recently a film along with a second movie out in November.

Bond's final Paddington novel, Paddington's Finest Hour, was published in April.

In 2014, Bond told how once on Christmas Eve he had found himself on Oxford Street looking for a small gift for his wife's Christmas stocking.

Snow had started to fall and he found himself outside Selfridges. 'There was this one bear sitting on the shelf and I felt sorry for him,' he recalled.

'Someone once said 'A doll's always wondering what they're going to wear next, but there's something about a bear - you feel you can tell it your secrets and it won't give them away'.'



The bear in question turned out to be the very toy that inspired him to write A Bear Called Paddington.

The author also gave the film Paddington his blessing because, while the bear has appeared on stage and television over the years, a movie was 'the one thing Paddington hadn't done'.

He said during an interview in 2014: 'What's nice about the film is the fact that all the cast are in it because they like Paddington, they've all been brought up with Paddington and there was a very nice atmosphere on set.'

Bonneville, who plays Mr Brown in the recent film adaptation of Paddington and its forthcoming sequel, said in a statement: 'It seems particularly poignant that we should learn of dear Michael Bond's death on the last day of shooting our second film about his unique, loveable creation.

'In Paddington, Michael created a character whose enthusiasm and optimism has given pleasure to millions across the generations.



'Michael will be greatly missed by his legions of fans and especially by his wife Sue, his family and of course by his beloved guinea pigs. He leaves a special legacy: long live the bear from darkest Peru.'

Paddington star Sally Hawkins said: 'All our thoughts and hearts are with Michael and his dear family today. I am devastated as we all are to hear of such loss.

'It is our last day filming. Everyone in the cast and crew are devastated. Such a kind man who touched millions with his words. Paddington is Michael.

'Thank you, dear Michael, for such light and joy you brought to the world and will continue to do so in the hearts of so many children who fall in love with that dear little bear'.

A HarperCollins spokesman said: 'It is with great sadness that we announce that Michael Bond, CBE, the creator of one of Britain's best-loved children's characters, Paddington, died at home yesterday aged 91 following a short illness.'



Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher of HarperCollins Children's Books, added: 'I feel privileged to have been Michael Bond's publisher.

'He was a true gentleman, a bon viveur, the most e