Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond dies at 91

TRIBUTES have started pouring in for Michael Bond, the creator of children’s favourite Paddington Bear, who has died in the UK after a short illness.

Michael Bond poses with a soft toy version of Paddington Bear in 2015. Picture: AP

MICHAEL Bond, the creator of children’s literary character Paddington Bear, has died aged 91 following a short illness, publisher HarperCollins says. Bond died at home in the UK.

Born in Newbury in 1926, Bond began his career at the BBC.

He was inspired to create Paddington after seeing a teddy bear in a shop window on his way home from work and buying it as a stocking filler for his wife in 1956.

First appearing in the 1958 story A Bear called Paddington, the character was named after the London railway station where he was found, having arrived from “deepest, darkest Peru” according to Bond’s famous description.

The book A Bear Called Paddington was a huge hit. Picture: Getty

Please look after this bear. Picture: Supplied

The bear was wearing a tag around his neck that read “Please look after this bear”.

Adopted by the Brown family, the misadventure-prone bear went on to be a huge star.

He has been enjoyed by generations of children, with more than 35 million books sold, the publisher said.

Paddington Bear's Creator Michael Bond with the literary character. Picture: Getty

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond. Picture: Supplied

Explaining the character’s enduring appeal in 2008, Bond said “there’s something about bears which sets them apart from the other toys.” “I think dolls are always wondering what they’re going to wear next,” he told The Associated Press. “Bears have this quality that children in particular feel they can tell their secrets to and they won’t pass them on.”

HarperCollins CEO Charlie Redmayne said: “Michael Bond was one of the great children’s writers and at HarperCollins we are immensely fortunate to have published him and to have known him.”

British author Michael Bond sits with a Paddington Bear toy in 2008. Picture: AP

The Paddington Bear balloon floats down Central Park West during the 90th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Picture: AFP

Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books, said the duffel-coated, Wellington boot-wearing bear “touched my own heart as a child and will live on in the hearts of future generations.”

Bond wrote 150 books, with 25 additional books about the bear who loves marmalade following his first effort.

Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond holds his Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) award after it was presented to him by the Duke of Cambridge at an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October 27, 2015 in London. Picture: Getty

A film based on the character was released in 2014 starring Nicole Kidman to critical and commercial success.

Tributes have started pouring in for Bond following the news of his death.

Stephen Fry tweeted: “So sorry to hear that Michael Bond has departed. He was as kindly, dignified, charming & loveable as the immortal Paddington Bear he gave us.”

So sorry to hear that Michael Bond has departed. He was as kindly, dignified, charming & lovable as the immortal Paddington Bear he gave us

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) June 28, 2017

#Paddington always brought joy in all its forms. This theme music is enough to make me smile. Thank you #MichaelBond https://t.co/bRBGrtti7W

— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) June 28, 2017

Comedian and TV star David Walliams wrote: “I had the great pleasure of spending time with #MichaelBond A dazzling wit & perfect gentleman.

“On meeting him I realised he was #Paddington.”

Originally published as Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond dies at 91