Paddington has been spotted out and about in London, pausing for a photo opportunity on the world-famous Abbey Road zebra crossing.
The much-loved bear, instantly recognisable in his blue duffle coat and red hat, drew crowds in St John’s Wood as he recreated one of the capital’s most iconic images outside Abbey Road Studios.
The appearance marked the announcement of an early release for the soundtrack to Paddington The Musical, with fans now able to stream the original cast recording from April 10 following strong demand.
Part of the score for the production, written by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, was recorded at the historic studios with a full orchestra alongside vocals from the West End cast.
Passers-by stopped to film and photograph Paddington as he made his way across the crossing, which famously featured on the cover of The Beatles’ 1969 album Abbey Road. The location has since become a must-visit spot for tourists, with artists including the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bon Jovi among those to have recreated the image.
Paddington’s appearance in north London is the latest in a string of high-profile outings for the character, who was named after the capital’s Paddington station.
Last year, he appeared at the station itself alongside Fletcher for the music video for One Of Us, a track from the musical. He has also met the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal Variety Performance, taken to the dancefloor on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing with Fletcher, and presented the award for best children and family film at this year’s Bafta Film Awards.
A physical release of Paddington The Musical – Original Cast Recording is expected to follow in May.
The stage show, currently running at the Savoy Theatre until May 2027, is based on Michael Bond’s 1958 book A Bear Called Paddington as well as the hit film adaptation released in 2014.
On stage, the character is brought to life by a two-person team, with James Hameed serving as remote puppeteer, controlling Paddington’s facial expressions and voice, while Arti Shah performs the physical role.
Paddington has remained a fixture of British culture since his debut, with numerous adaptations over the decades. These include a BBC television series in 1976 voiced by the late Sir Michael Hordern, as well as a hugely successful film trilogy released in 2014, 2017 and 2024.
Meanwhile, Paddington is also spreading some Easter cheer at the Paddington Bear Experience at County Hall, where a giant themed egg installation and seasonal egg hunt are on offer until April 12.
