Paddington Bear's Surprise Baftas Appearance Sparks A Wide Range Of Reactions
Generally known for being more subdued and uneventful than some of its awards show peers, this year’s Baftas proved to be the exception to the rule, serving up controversy, discourse and a few surprise twists on Sunday night.
Indeed, even an appearance from national treasure Paddington Bear garnered a much more mixed response than you might think.
Following the huge success of the Paddington film series, the iconic British character is currently starring in his own West End show.
And because he was only down the road, Paddington decided to put in an appearance at the Baftas.
Paddington Bear presents the BAFTA for Children & Family's Film✨ #EEBAFTAspic.twitter.com/Cnes35v6xm
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 22, 2026
Fittingly, Paddington presented the award for Best Children And Family Film, treating the audience to a quick comedy routine. before announcing the winner.
As you’d expect, the moment went down a storm with many viewers:
I love this bear with my entire soul https://t.co/f6gtf3XTeG
— pip (@bensonspoppet) February 22, 2026
Paddington Has My Heart ❤️????
— ???????????????????????? (KOKO UK) (@QT_JAAN) February 22, 2026
I think we can all agree this was the most adorable moment! #BAFTAShttps://t.co/WY0tGOj7s3
— Mica Blackwell (she/her) (@INA_TheatreSnob) February 22, 2026
MY SHEILA ???? https://t.co/vWFDrEkGcT
— dande (@dande_only) February 22, 2026
i actually feel sooo maternal about him https://t.co/ucAlI5LgNk
— nakia ???? (@iIyasrozanov) February 23, 2026
This is literally killing me, it’s too cute https://t.co/LQko0So4hc
— Deeluxe Thee Stallion ????✨ (@_deeluxeee) February 22, 2026
I always become 10 years old with excitement at moments like this. Adorable ????
— Jasmine Dotiwala OBE (@jasminedotiwala) February 22, 2026
me every time I see irl Paddington pic.twitter.com/FOgAcxG5ebhttps://t.co/UcUCEaoC0V
— chefkids (@girlflopping) February 22, 2026
I WOULD DIE FOR HIM https://t.co/VhFc2varzf
— Audra McDonalds Oscar Campaign Manager (@_AllThatJaz) February 23, 2026
Others were simply raging at the subdued reaction Paddington’s comedy stylings got from the celebrities in the Baftas audience:
why is the crowd so dead. that’s a goddamn comedian right there and no one’s laughing https://t.co/KICvGpmj4V
— rose???? (@xxteamlmxx) February 22, 2026
I know it's a British thing to not show enthusiasm but this is just disrespectful to one of their own. Paddington Brown is a national treasure...stand the fuck up and get loud. https://t.co/i2zeymniW0
— prozac & cody (@clubskunks) February 22, 2026
Poor Paddington not getting a single laugh. That audience doesn’t deserve you!
— Tuone Udaina (@tuoneudaina) February 22, 2026
The crowd is taking ts too lightly bruh, that’s literally paddington up there man wtf pic.twitter.com/KnLAJk7Nit
— awesomedude (@AwesumSauceDude) February 22, 2026
why is no one laughing at his silly jokes i hate u all ????
— ݁ (@k4bira) February 22, 2026
weak ass crowd id have been hootin and hollerin at his jokes https://t.co/Tcos7Evkju
— chreon's trophy wife (@leonbaobei) February 22, 2026
that’s my mfing goat right there & the audience isn’t making a PEEP oh my GOD
— Lissy (@mewnii) February 22, 2026
Worst audience of all time. I would be crying while giving him a standing ovation
— James “James Birdy” Bird (@JamesJBirdy) February 22, 2026
the lack of energy and applause for paddington absolutely kills me i would be hootin’ and hollerin’ if i saw him in real life
— SnazzyVEVO ????????️ (@SnazzyVEVO) February 22, 2026
Why didn’t they laugh wtf he pulled out his best jokes :(((
— ✨ASTROHOE✨ (@desssyamandaa) February 22, 2026
I WOULD LAUGH STAND CLAP AND CRY IF I WERE THERE, (NOT) DEAR AUDIENCE YOU TURNED OUT TO BE A DISAPPOINTMENT
— Karolina (@charlottekepka) February 23, 2026
The way this audience should have been giving Paddington a STANDING OVATION??
— NeoGameSpark (@NeoGameSpark) February 23, 2026
Y’all don’t deserve ANYTHING GOOD https://t.co/zcVvxsLLtF
And then there were those who were… well… let’s just go with bemused by Paddington’s latest incarnation:
i don’t like this cyborg paddington variant https://t.co/hJ8vrjIrTM
— michel fujault (@allegramiriam) February 22, 2026
Paddington just looks like a scary creepy robot ????, not cute at all ????
— Jim (@JimmyMills01) February 22, 2026
I'm sorry but if I saw this in person I'd be terrifiedpic.twitter.com/P17elg1Tdqhttps://t.co/9KIVdxWM1T
— C.J. Prince (@cj_prin) February 22, 2026
who the fuck is that fraud on stage https://t.co/Z85WTdDCr7pic.twitter.com/vf13FavwHj
— mo (@knownasmo_) February 23, 2026
Paddington confirmed a demon who must be hunted I am behind you miss Ami https://t.co/G4sDSvhbOK
— ryan (@ryangaur) February 22, 2026
thats not paddington thats just some fucking guy https://t.co/rVJFi8HbiP
— kate (@normal_regimiro) February 23, 2026
There’s someone in there right??… RIGHT???? https://t.co/PnkOtTpFNWpic.twitter.com/uUF82QJ6BM
— celz (@cecelovablekay) February 22, 2026
Ok help me out, is it a person in a bear suit? Is it a robot? AI? I need answers. https://t.co/mAiQBMZFcf
— beffy ???? (@beffybadbelly) February 22, 2026
how is he real, i don’t get it…. why is no one questioning his existence.. https://t.co/Jgo7ZBWIt5
— Bruce ♎︎ (@BruceRockwells) February 23, 2026
Idk who this imposter is but that’s not Paddington #notmyPaddingtonhttps://t.co/naecTsEXff
— Congolesa Rice (@judeinlondon) February 22, 2026
Paddington: The Musical was penned by Olivier-winning playwright Jessica Swale, with original songs by McFly star Tom Fletcher.
For his stage play, the Paddington character – played by Ben Whishaw in the hit movies – has been brought to life through a combination of puppetry, robotics and animatronics, with James Hameed providing his singing and speaking voice.
Towards the end of last year, the character made a surprise appearance on Strictly Come Dancing to promote his new stage venture:
Meanwhile, One Battle After Another was the big winner at the 2026 Baftas, picking up six awards out of 14 nominations.
Sinners and Frankenstein each picked up three awards – including an acting nod for the former’s Wunmi Mosaku – while Hamnet and I Swear scored two.
Jessie Buckley and Robert Aramayo were awarded Best Actress and Actor, respectively, while Sean Penn was the surprise recipient of Best Supporting Actor, a title which has previously gone to Jacob Elordi and Stellan Skarsgård earlier this awards season.
Check out our full round-up of this year’s Bafta winners here.