🔗 Share this article Legal Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Faces Legal Action Over Beloved Character Episode Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial. However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and estate that own the character's rights. Court Action Initiated Against Production Company StudioCanal, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation. A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. This production includes sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success. Controversial Portrayal Details The show is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie adaptations. He then changes to a generic South American accent before exclaiming: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You probably remember me from the films Paddington, Paddington 2 and Paddington in Peru. I also had a starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos." At the end of the episode, a chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out. Historical Context of Comedy Program The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular stable of podcasts created by various media companies. The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters. Initial run was among the popular programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox Continued for two series before being cancelled again Digital Transformation Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos. In the first show, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges the conservative billionaire to go to Mars. "You are excessively genius for one planet," he says. "As I say about my cocaine, it is only right to share." He subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine." The duo also present an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you." The bear begins another section by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one." Company Statements The film company declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings. Avalon has been contacted for comment.