So to what does Bond attribute the great affection his creation inspires? “Paddington is eternally optimistic and always comes back for more, no matter how many times his hopes are dashed,” says Bond. It’s an extraordinary level of success for a British children’s book character who doesn’t play quidditch – one matched only perhaps by that other endearingly bumbling bear, Pooh. Bond himself was baffled at some of the requests that came to him in the early days of Paddington-mania – “Toilet rolls with a picture of Paddington! That was an easy one to say no to.” The first Paddington licensee, who produced the classic soft toys dressed in duffel coats, hats and little Dunlop wellies, was designer Shirley Clarkson, who made the very first Paddington Bear as a Christmas present for her young son (and future Top Gear presenter) Jeremy.

And Paddington toys are expected to be back on children’s Christmas lists this year with the new film. Piles and piles of it, enough to fill dedicated “Paddington and Friends” shops and a concession at Selfridges. Those “what ifs” have led not only to the books but also 56 episodes of the 1970s BBC animated films, a stage play, picture books, annuals, a strip cartoon, a cookery book, a guide to London and, of course, merchandising.

So he comes around with me in spirit and I think an awful lot of stories start because you see a sign or you hear some conversation and you think ‘what if?’.” “Paddington’s very real to me,” says Bond, when we meet in the study of the London home in Little Venice he shares with his wife of 33 years, Sue. It’s filled with mementos of the character for whom the 88-year-old author has spent more than half his life creating adventures. The statues will be auctioned for charity at the end of December. An accompanying Paddington “trail” around London features 50 small statues of the bear decorated by celebrities ranging from David Beckham and Benedict Cumberbatch to Boris Johnson. And this weekend sees the release of the first Paddington feature film, which stars Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, Sally Hawkins, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters, with Ben Whishaw providing the voice of the bear. In that time Paddington Bear has acquired ursine national treasure status in the UK and is equally adored abroad: Michael Bond’s 26 Paddington books have sold more than 35m copies worldwide and have been translated into 40 languages. Thank you”, before being adopted by the Brown family. I t’s been more than 50 years since a little bear from darkest Peru found himself homeless and alone on Paddington station wearing a tag saying “Please look after this bear.

Paddington by michael bond