Michael Bond CBE, 1926-2017

Hugh Bonneville, star of the Paddington films, read out tributes from fans to the bear’s creator in St Paul’s Cathedral in front of a congregation of 1,500. He was flanked by Samuel Joslin, who played Jonathan Brown, and Madeleine Harris, who played Judy Brown.

One fan suggested that if Bond’s books were read to all kids around the world, it would be a much kinder place. Hard stares and marmalade sandwiches featured prominently. ‘We should all go out and give idiots a hard stare in commemoration,’ wrote a fan. ‘I doubt I’d ever have become a teacher if it hadn’t been for Paddington Bear. His tips on hard stares served me particularly well.’

‘Good night, Michael Bond,’ said another fan. ‘Thank you for writing the books that taught me to read, and to want

The Oldie to read more.’ Granddaughter India Jankel read a story about the world’s fattest guinea pig. Grandson Harry Jankel read one about his grandfather ringing the police because the red light on the coffee machine kept coming on.

Daughter Karen Jankel told how he loved cities, especially Paris, and had a magnificent wine collection but never learned to speak French. She related how pleased he was at the film premiere when Paddington was given a standing ovation. ‘It didn’t occur to him that the standing ovation was for him,’ she said. ‘This time it is for him.’

‘Paddington informed Michael’s own thinking,’ explained his publisher, Ann-janine Murtagh from Harpercollins, referring to the small, furry bear with the hard stare. ‘He would often say, “What would Paddington do?”

‘He was happy for Paddington to take the limelight. He said he isn’t me, but I wouldn’t mind being him.’

Canon Michael Hampel compared the statue of Bond’s bear at Paddington with the one at Liverpool Street, commemorating the 1938-39 Kindertransport. ‘Mr B knew that people everywhere needed looking after. The two statues are almost interchangeable.’

Outside, on the steps by the main entrance, Stephen Fry offered his own thoughts on Paddington Bear to the world’s TV channels. JAMES HUGHES-ONSLOW