Overview
- StudioCanal, Paddington and Company, and two relatives of author Michael Bond have sued Avalon in London over four Spitting Image episodes and a musical trailer.
- Court documents say a puppet with Paddington’s defining features is shown using and smuggling cocaine, taking heroin, drinking, using coarse language, and speaking in a way said to mock Peruvians.
- The claim seeks an injunction plus an order to hand over or destroy the puppet, along with potential damages.
- Avalon has not yet filed a defence, as Spitting Image posted a video mocking legal letters that shows the bear apparently ingesting white powder.
- Co-writer Al Murray and Avalon founder Jon Thoday voiced surprise at the lawsuit, describing the portrayal as a joke consistent with the show’s satire.