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LONDON (AFP) - The creator of children's favourite Paddington Bear insisted Wednesday the furry creature had not gone off marmalade, despite a new ad campaign linking him to another sandwich filling.
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Michael Bond wrote to The Times newspaper after the makers of yeast-based spread Marmite used Paddington in an advert for a new version of its product, which divides people between fans who can and those who can't stand it.
Specifically he poured cold water on rumours that he was paid for the advert, while his daughter -- who runs Paddington and Co, making money out of the Bear from Peru -- defended the decision to let him be used in the advert.
"I should be so lucky - particularly since I didn't write it. In fact, I have to report that although Paddington found the sandwiches interesting, bears are creatures of habit," Bond said in a letter.
"It would require a good deal more than the combined current withdrawals from Northern Rock to wean him off marmalade, if then," he added, referring to a recent crisis at the embattled British bank.
Bond wrote 11 books charting the adventures of Paddington between 1958 and 1979. They have been translated into 30 languages and turned into a hugely-popular BBC television series.
Paddington, a label around his neck stating "Please look after this bear, thank you", arrives at Paddington station in London from Peru wearing a duffle coat, hat, Wellington boots and clutching a battered suitcase.
Inside is an almost empty jar of marmalade. The Brown family take him in to their home at number 32 Windsor Gardens unaware of the chaos he will inflict on their lives.
Bond's daughter Karen Jankel defended the Marmite advertising tie-in with Anglo-Dutch giant Unilever, which has produced a more spreadable version of its viscous black product, called Squeezy Marmite and sold in a tube.
She stressed that Paddington only tries Marmite in the advert, and does not change over to it altogether.
"Unilever wanted to encourage people to try Marmite in their sandwiches, and they were looking for a character famous for eating sandwiches," she said.
"The point of the advert is that Paddington always has marmalade in his sandwiches. He simply tries Marmite."
Bond seemed philosophical about the misunderstanding, voicing confidence that Paddington will survive, unperturbed. "Besides, Squeezy Marmite may spread well, but it doesn't have any chunks," he said.
There was a better article in the Independent....but the page isn't loading at the moment...
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