Tom Fletcher on the power of Paddington the Musical and being “blown away by the response”

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The critically acclaimed show features Paddington brought to life by Arti Shah, who plays him on stage, and James Hameed, who provides the voice and controls Paddington’s facial expressions remotely. The show’s successful run at London’s Savoy Theatre has been extended and will now continue until February 14, 2027.

I still can’t believe everything Paddington has been up to! It’s amazing – he’s met the Prince and Princess of Wales after the Royal Variety Performance, and even Vogue took his picture at The Savoy! But the best part? He got to perform a song from ‘The Explorer and the Bear’ with Fletcher on Strictly Come Dancing. He’s a true star, that bear!

Fletcher, who has dedicated five years to this musical, believes its popularity stems from the emotional experience of seeing a beloved character brought to life on stage. He describes being in the same room as the character as incredibly moving and powerful.

The story itself, and its message, feels incredibly important and timely. It’s about a little bear who arrives in London with nothing but a few jars of marmalade, hoping to find a home, a family, and, most of all, kindness in a new city. That message of seeking and receiving kindness feels especially powerful right now.

As a huge movie fan, I was thrilled to learn that Tom Fletcher – you know, from McFly and a fantastic children’s author – wasn’t just responsible for getting Paddington his big break on stage! He’s now bringing another beloved bear to life – Pudsey Bear, the wonderful mascot for BBC Children in Need! It’s the first time Pudsey’s story has been told this way, which is just amazing.

The 25-minute animated film, Pudsey and the Thread of Hope, is adapted from a story by Fletcher, which is also available as a book. It follows Jai, a young boy grieving the loss of his father, who connects with other children helped by Pudsey Bear. A common thread of hope links all their stories. Fletcher shares, “It’s been a long-held dream of mine to write for animation, and I never imagined my first project would be with such a beloved and iconic character like Pudsey. It’s amazing to have worked with two wonderful bears this year!”

Children in Need helps children and young people across the UK who are facing tough times, and author Tom Fletcher was especially touched by their work supporting those who have lost loved ones. While working on a recent story, he shared it with his three sons – aged 11, 9, and 7 – and his wife, Giovanna, asking for their honest reactions. He found their open conversations about difficult topics incredibly valuable. Fletcher believes it’s important to explain the meaning of Children in Need to his children without simplifying it too much, and he feels fortunate to be able to spark similar conversations in other families.

You can now read the book ‘Pudsey and the Thread of Hope’! It will also be shown on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Eve at 10:20am.

How to get Paddington the Musical West End tickets

As a huge film fan, I’m thrilled to share that tickets for the ‘Paddington’ stage show are finally on sale at LOVEtheatre! You can snag them starting at just £29. It’s playing at the beautiful Savoy Theatre in London, and it’s a long run – from November 1st all the way through to May 2026! Definitely planning my trip – this is one I won’t miss.

Authors

Laura RutkowskiCommissioning Editor

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2025-12-15 18:37