Rupert Goodwins' Bacchanalian Diary

Monday 17/12/01

Bear fans the world over are not sure what to make of Raddington -- a Paddington-like plush toy for the 21st century. Said ursine has given up the marmalade sandwiches and cold stares for designer togs, mobile phone and Coke can. Not that it's anything like Paddington. Of course not. The licensing issues would be horrendous.

Where will this updating of fondly held childhood icons end? The Clangers recast as a boy band? Orlando, The Marmalade Cat in shades and baseball cap spinning the platters at the Ministry of Sound? Dennis the Menace branded as D3nNi2 da hAx0R ?

Probably not. After all, the hit of the year is one Harry Potter, who is a schoolboy straight out of the 1950s in full Jennings and Darbyshire mode. If you're hip, you don't do toys -- not even Raddington.

But it can't be long before that precious pre-teen market gets a fillip: I predict books, TV series and perhaps even a film based on the adventures of a talking mobile phone. Bit like Thomas the Tank Engine, but with a Fat Telco Owner. Anyone know a good illustrator?