BBC One has been praised for its decision to air Paddington 2 in a touching tribute to Britain's longest-reigning monarch. The movie is likely a sweet nod to Her Majesty's sketch with the famous bear just three months ago during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The film was added to the schedule on Monday, September 19 following a full day of coverage for the Queen's state funeral. The service took place today at 11am in Westminster Abbey where 2,000 people were in attendance. You can read more on this here.
Welsh presenter Huw Edwards, Kirsty Young, and David Dimbleby led the BBC One coverage which aired from 8am until 5pm and ended with a moving tribute delivered by Kirsty that left many viewers at home in tears. You can read more on this here.
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The coverage was followed by BBC News and then a special episode of The One Show which saw Alex Jones and Gethin Jones reflect on the Queen's reign from the green sofa. Those tuned into the station were then pleasantly surprised and moved to find out that Paddington 2 would follow on the channel.
Taking to Twitter, one BBC viewer wrote: "I'm not sure who at the BBC decided that Paddington 2 is about to be shown on TV after everything thing today but it was the perfect decision."
While another added: "What an excellent choice of @BBCOne to broadcast Paddington 2 tonight! Really comforting after Queen's funeral." And a third said: "Paddington 2 is a perfect and fitting ending to the day, good decision BBC, I think the Queen would approve."
"The BBC have decided I haven't shed enough tears today so have put Paddington 2 on," commented a fourth. As a fifth said: "I made it through the funeral, the sad corgis, the parade, the other funeral, Kirsty Young keeping it together, even the musical montage of the highights but the fact that the BBC are putting Paddington 2 on after has got me."
"The BBC playing @paddingtonbear 2 tonight could not be more perfect," wrote another social media. "Think we all need it."
The family-friendly animated film will have a different tone from much of the scheduled television but the movie is, in its own way, a special tribute to Her Majesty. The Queen starred in a sketch with the Peruvian bear during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The short clip saw the longest-reigning monarch joke to the beloved bear that she liked to keep marmalade sandwiches in her handbag and even pulled one out to prove it, delighting audiences.
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