Get the latest gossip

Paddington Bear given UK passport by Home Office

Government issues official document to Peruvian-born character, listing him as ‘Bear’ under its observations

The co-producer of the latest Paddington film said the Home Office had issued the document to the fictional Peruvian-born character – listing for completeness the official observation that he is, in fact, a bear. He produced the document, complete with Paddington’s photo inside, adding: “You wouldn’t think the Home Office would have a sense of humour, but under official observations, they’ve just listed him as Bear.” Ben Whishaw, who voices the new British subject in the film Paddington in Peru, revealed that the passport, which is actually a specimen document, was not needed during production – because he spent the whole schedule in a subterranean studio in central London.

Get the Android app