Paddington named Visit London’s first official Welcome Ambassador

• Paddington becomes Visit London’s first ever Welcome Ambassador ahead of new film launch, Paddington in Peru, developed, produced and distributed by STUDIOCANAL
• Visitors and Londoners can now pay a visit to Paddington in London as new mural unveiled in South Bank
• The third film following the adventures of the iconic bear, Paddington in Peru, is in UK cinemas on 8^th November

Visit London announces Paddington as its first official ambassador representing the capital city ahead of new film launch, Paddington in Peru. The beloved family figure invites visitors to experience the very best of London and will serve as a warm welcome to the capital.

The ambassadorship was announced at an unveiling of a new Paddington mural located on London’s South Bank with Ben Whishaw, the voice of Paddington, accepting the official title. Visitors can snap a selfie with the Paddington mural at Sutton Walk, opposite Waterloo station, until the end of January 2025.

The mural was created by Peruvian artist Gisella Stapleton, whose work draws from Latin American folklore and popular art. The importance of honoring her roots, culture and memories of her homeland as well as the empowerment of Latin women is core theme in Gisella’s artwork.

Commenting on the mural, Gisella said: “Inspired by the Retablo Ayacuchano, one of the most important artistic expressions of Andean art, this image represents the heart of Paddington – and the heart of every immigrant. With open doors, where inside the love for our land, represented by the Andes, is mixed with the love for the land that welcomes us, our beloved London.

“For me, living in London for 13 years has been an enriching experience, meeting people from many parts of the world and their cultures, it is a magical city, just like Paddington, I have always felt that I fit in.”

The work has been brought to life by Global Street Art, award-winning street art agency who transform walls into destinations, and spaces into places.

Simon McCaugherty, Director at VisitLondon.com, said: “We are over the moon to name Paddington as Visit London’s first official welcome ambassador. Paddington has long called London his home and is the perfect representative of London’s values as a welcoming and inclusive city. As Paddington himself said, ‘in London everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in’.”

Alex Hamilton, CEO, STUDIOCANAL UK, said: “We’re delighted to see Paddington named as London’s first official welcome ambassador ahead of the release of PADDINGTON IN PERU in cinemas across the UK next Friday. Although Paddington embarks upon an exciting adventure to Peru in the new film, London is a vital part of who Paddington is and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate his connection to the city than this stunning new mural now adorning the South Bank.”

Lee Bofkin, CEO and Co-founder, Global Street Art, said: [/b"The Global Street Art team are so excited to bring Paddington to life in the heart of his adopted city! Gisella Stapelton has done an incredible job weaving together the spirit of London and the vibrant culture of Peru, in a celebration of community and creativity. We can’t wait for visitors to snap some selfies"[b] 

Nic Durston, Chief Executive of South Bank Employers’ Group and South Bank Business Improvement District, said: We are thrilled to see the Paddington mural come to life on London’s South Bank. This vibrant addition embodies our neighbourhood’s creative spirit and serves as a warm welcome to visitors from around the world.  This wonderful mural will delight all who see it, capturing the hearts of everyone who lives, works, studies and visits here.

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this exciting mural of the capital’s favourite bear, Paddington, which will provide a warm welcome to the millions of passengers who use London Waterloo station each year.

“Just like Paddington Bear is an iconic and world-renowned children’s character, London Waterloo is synonymous with the capital – the third busiest transport hub in the country and a major gateway into the City. I couldn’t think of a more fitting location for this mural of Visit London’s first official Welcome Ambassador to be based.”

Paddington in Peru will be in UK cinemas from 8^th November.

For more information on the ambassadorship, mural and how to explore London Paddington-style, head to visitlondon.com. Visitors to London this November can also purchase in-store tickets to London attractions at the Visit London Pop-Up shop in Covent Garden.

Lead image from left to right: Gisella Stapleton (mural artist), Ben Whishaw (voice of Paddington) and Simon McCaugherty, Director at Visit London

Imagery can be found here.

About VisitLondon.com

Visitlondon.com is the official visitor guide to London and is run by London & Partners, the growth agency for London. Our mission is to create economic growth that is resilient, sustainable and inclusive. Visitlondon.com is a comprehensive resource for everything that is happening in London. At any one time, this includes 20,000 event listings, plus content designed to inspire and assist visitors. For more information, go to visitlondon.com.    

About Paddington

For 65 years, British-born writer Michael Bond has delighted readers all over the world with his stories about Paddington, the bear from Peru, famous for his love of marmalade. The kindness and humour in the stories appeal to children and adults alike, ensuring Paddington’s enduring popularity from one generation to the next. 

Since then, Paddington’s adventures have been adapted several times for television and at the end of 2014 Paddington made his debut onto the big screen, a further film Paddington 2 followed in 2017. The third instalment Paddington in Peru is set to release in the UK 8^th November 2024. The movies are produced by STUDIOCANAL, Europe’s leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and series, part of CANAL+ Group, major player in the creation and distribution of content worldwide. In 2020, a brand-new Paddington TV series designed for a pre-school audience, The Adventures of Paddington launched on Nickelodeon, winning two Daytime Emmys.

You can catch-up with Paddington’s many adventures on: 

Twitter, Instagram & TikTok @paddingtonbear | Facebook.com/PaddingtonBear | dailymotion.com/Paddington | YouTube.com/PaddingtonBearOfficial

©P&Co. Ltd/ SC 2024

About STUDIOCANAL (a CANAL+ company)

STUDIOCANAL, a 100% affiliate of CANAL+ Group held by Vivendi, is Europe’s leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and series, operating in all major European markets - France, United Kingdom & Ireland, Germany, Poland, Spain, and Benelux - as well as in Australia, in New Zealand and in the United States.  It finances, produces, and distributes 80 films per year. It owns the largest catalogue in Europe and one of the most prestigious in the world, boasting around 9 000 titles from 60 countries, spanning 100 years of film history. Close to 25 million euros has been invested into the 4K restoration of nearly 1 000 classic feature films over the past 5 years. In addition, STUDIOCANAL also produces almost 20 series each year and operates at an international level by globally distributing its scripted productions and CANAL+ Originals (2,000 hours of current and library content in distribution). All productions take place directly through STUDIOCANAL entities or with its award-winning network of 14 production companies in Europe and in the United States:  BAMBU PRODUCCIONES (SP), BIRDIE PICTURES (UK), DINGIE (BE), LAILAPS FILMS (GER), OPUS TV (POL), RED PRODUCTION COMPANY (UK), SAM PRODUCTIONS (DEN), STRONG FILM & TELEVISION (UK), STUDIOCANAL ORIGINAL (FR), STUDIOCANAL SERIES (GER), SUNNY MARCH TV (UK), THE PICTURE COMPANY (US), URBAN MYTH FILMS (UK), 2E BUREAU (FR).

https://www.canalplusgroup.com/en/group/studiocanal-1

About the artist

Born in Lima, Gisella Stapleton’s work is inspired by the richness of Latin American folklore, traditional crafts and the natural wealth of her land, as well as the empowerment of women. Using a wide range of materials, including oils, acrylics, gouache and recycled jute, and through painting and embroidery, she creates a distinctive style that fuses tradition with modernity.

Since moving to London in 2011, she has showcased her art at various exhibitions and festivals in London, including Battersea Art Station at Battersea Arts Centre, ECOFeminism Festival at the Art Pavilion and the Via Arts Prize finalist exhibition at the Brazilian Embassy.  She has also been commissioned for murals that speak about diversity and inclusion, including the University of Roehampton’s ’R’ and murals celebrating the community at Elephant and Castle by Latin Elephant Charity.

About Global Street Art

Global Street Art is Europe’s largest and leading mural-painting organisation, headquartered in London with offices in Brussels, Paris and Madrid. Since 2012, Global Street Art and its community of thousands of artists, comprising a network of established names and emerging talents, have painted over 3,000 pure art walls across the UK and worked in dozens of other countries.

Global Street Art’s mission is to “Live in Painted Cities” by working with talented street artists who create murals for commercial and community initiatives. They believe art has the power to transform places and inspire people.