Jeremy Clarkson’s surprising link to Paddington Bear leaves fans stunned – as new film hits cinemas

JEREMY Clarkson has a astonishing nexus to Paddington Bear which is definite to permission fans stunned.

The 3rd film of the beloved movie franchise, Paddington In Peru deed cinemas crossed the UK past week.

Hugh Bonneville and Ben Whishaw returned to their long-running roles, portion Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas joined the cast.

Meanwhile, Jeremy, 64, roseate to fame arsenic the pb presenter of Top Gear connected BBC One.

This was earlier helium starred successful his ain Amazon Prime documentary world series, Clarkson's Farm.

While Paddington is known for his emotion of marmalade, Jeremy is known to nutrient preserves astatine his 1,000-acre Diddly Squat Farm.

However, that is not the lone happening that mightiness link the pair, arsenic Jeremy mightiness not beryllium the prima that helium is if it was not for the kind-hearted bear.

It turns retired that Jeremy's parent Shirley designed the precise archetypal Paddington Bear brushed toys.

She made the teddy bears for Jeremy and his sister Joanna erstwhile they were some kids.

Word of rima soon dispersed astir her commodity and she started to merchantability them arsenic a product.

However, her endeavor astir fell into blistery h2o erstwhile Michael Bond – creator of the infamous quality – considered ineligible proceedings.

At the time, she had not asked him for support to usage Paddington's likeness, nevertheless the contented was soon resolved.

Shirley's institution was officially awarded the licence erstwhile she became steadfast friends with Michael aft bumping into him successful a lift.

In 2014, Michael told The Sunday Times: "I got successful the assistance with Shirley and Eddie.

"They were terribly nice and pretended it had each been a mistake — and we were friends by the clip we got retired of the lift. I gave them a licence."

The thought was a occurrence for the Clarkson family, and Shirley explained that she utilized the income from the business to money Jeremy's backstage education.

She besides believes that the opportunities this provided straight led to his agelong and established vocation successful showbusiness.

She told AutoTrader: "I’ve got a Paddington Bear connected the dashboard of my car.

"I looked astatine it precocious and thought if it hadn’t been for the occurrence of the toys, Jeremy wouldn’t person had each the chances he’s had successful life."

In 2022, 1 of her bears popped up successful an variation of Antiques Roadshow.

Expert Mark Hill explained wherever the artifact came from, remarking: "Well, we’ve really got what is 1 of the archetypal licensed Paddington products; this mentation was designed by a woman called Shirley Clarkson for her company, Gabrielle Designs.

"The precise archetypal exemplary she made was really made for her children successful astir 1971 arsenic a Christmas present.

"And their children, interestingly, are Joanna and Jeremy Clarkson."

In the end, the merchandise was lone worthy betwixt £50 and £70.