Michael Bond, the creator of beloved children's character Paddington Bear, has died at the age of 91.

He died at his home on Tuesday following a short illness, a statement from his publisher Harper Collins said.

Bond published his first book, A Bear Called Paddington, in 1958.

The character, a marmalade-loving bear from "deepest, darkest Peru" who comes to live in London, went on to inspire a series of books, an animated TV series and a successful 2014 film.

A sad moment for those of us brought up in an era when children's books formed a large part of our learning and entertainment. I do hope Network Rail acknowledge his passing in some appropriate manner at Paddington over the next couple of days.

I do hope Network Rail acknowledge his passing in some appropriate manner at Paddington over the next couple of days.

I do hope Network Rail acknowledge his passing in some appropriate manner at Paddington over the next couple of days.

"RIP Michael Bond.  We will, with the very greatest of pride, continue to Look After This Bear."

Blue plaque unveiled at home of Paddington creator


Haslemere mayor Jacquie Keen (pictured on the left) with Bond's daughter, Karen Jankel, at Saturday's unveiling - Image © Dawn Brown

The unveiling of a blue plaque at the former Surrey home of Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond was a "lovely" occasion with an unexpected surprise, the organiser has said.

Bond, who died in 2017 at the age of 91, moved to Fairacre in Haslemere in 1968, where he spent the next 10 years writing several Paddington books alongside the scripts for the original television series.

The unveiling on Saturday took place with the permission of current owners, Steph and Neil Stephenson, and was attended by Bond's daughter, Karen Jankel, who presented them with a special gift.

"It was the [Paddington] Bear that was Karen's as a child," Haslemere Society chairman Chris Harrison said.


The Haslemere Society, including chairman Chris Harrison, organised the unveiling - Image © Dawn Brown

Harrison said about 25 guests were invited but "the same [number] again" turned up to see the unveiling.  A number of those were "people who remembered the family" living there, including Jankel.  "Quite a few friends were reunited today," Harrison said.

Also among the attendees were the owners before the Stephensons, who Harrison said had travelled all the way from Exeter in Devon.

Speaking earlier this week, Steph Stephenson said the pair had suspicions but only learned of their home's history after the Haslemere Society wrote to them.

The chairman said the success of the day had sparked conversations about the possibility of a Paddington statue in Haslemere.  "We'll have to crowdfund for that!," he added.