A number from major new West End show Paddington The Musical has been tipped as a potential Christmas Number One in the UK.
Paddington The Musical officially opened in the West End tonight, Sunday 30 November 2025, with a special gala performance at the Savoy Theatre in London.
Read a round-up of Paddington reviews from London’s theatre critics.
The new musical is now playing at the Savoy Theatre until 25 October 2026.
Last week the producers of Paddington released a new song from the show, ‘One of Us’ performed by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, who has written music and lyrics for the musical.
The song has now been selected by The Official Charts as one of the Christmas Number One contenders.
The music video for ‘One of Us’ was filmed at Paddington station in London and features Paddington Bear himself. The heartwarming song is performed in the show by Mrs Brown.
Alongside Tom Fletcher, Paddington has a book by Olivier Award winner Jessica Swale (Nell Gwynn), based on the much-loved Paddington Bear books by Michael Bond and the successful films.
The show is directed by award-winner Luke Sheppard (& Juliet, Starlight Express, Just For One Day).
Video: Tom Fletcher sings ‘One of Us’ from Paddington
See all photos and videos from Paddington The Musical >
The Official Charts 2025
The Official Christmas Number 1 race 2024 starts on 12 December 12, with sales and streams counted up until 11.59pm on Thursday 18 December.
Then The Official Chart show on BBC Radio 1 on Friday 19 December 4pm will play the Christmas Top 40 countdown and the exclusive reveal of the Official Christmas Number One.
Alongside The Official Charts’ prediction that Tom Fletcher’s ‘One of Us’ from Paddington The Musical may hit the Christmas Number One, other artists vying for the top spot include Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande with For Good from the new Wicked: For Good movie; EsDeeKid with ‘Century/Phantom/4 Raws’; Raye with ‘Where is my Husband!’; Sienna Spiro with ‘Die On This Hill’; Labrinth with ‘Where Love Lives’ from the new John Lewis Christmas advert; Olivia Dean with ‘The Christmas Song’; Taylor Swift with ‘The Fate Of Ophelia/Opalite/Elizabeth Taylor’; Dave ft. Tems with ‘Raindance’; Kylie Minogue with ‘XMAS’; Denise Welch with ‘Slayyy Bells’; Sophie Ellis-Bextor with ‘(Christmas) Time’; Pixie Lott with ‘First Christmas’; Picture This with ‘It’s Christmas Time’; The Divine Comedy with ‘All the Pretty Lights’; and HUNTR/X with ‘Golden/How It’s Done/What It Sounds Like’.
Paddington opens in London
Paddington The Musical officially opened tonight – Sunday 30 November – at the West End’s Savoy Theatre.
A galaxy of stars attended the gala performance including David Tennant, Cush Jumbo, Joan Collins, Giovanna Fletcher, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Tom Burke, Arlene Phillips, McFly and Nick Mohammed.
Video: Watch the opening night curtain call of Paddington & Red carpet arrivals
The cast of Paddington
The cast of Paddington stars Timi Akinyosade (Man Like Mobeen) as Tony, Amy Booth-Steel (Coronation Street) as Lady Sloane, Tarrin Callender (Hamilton) as Grant, Delilah Bennett-Cardy (The Magic Faraway Tree) as Judy Brown, Adrian Der Gregorian (Roman Holiday) as Mr. Brown, Tom Edden (Crazy For You) as Mr. Curry, Brenda Edwards (We Will Rock You) as Tanya, Amy Ellen Richardson (Extraordinary Women) as Mrs. Brown, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Hadestown) as Millicent Clyde, Teddy Kempner (Girl From The North Country) as Mr. Gruber and Bonnie Langford (Les Misérables) as Mrs. Bird.
The role of Jonathan Brown is played by Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowse.
Paddington is played by James Hameed as the Off-stage Performer and Remote Puppeteer, and Arti Shah as the On-stage Performer. The Alternate Paddington On-stage Performers are Abbie Purvis and Ali Sarebani.
The ensemble cast features Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, David Birch, Aimée Fisher, Jacqueline Hughes, Kellianna Jay, Sam Lathwood, Natasha Leaver, Katie Lee, Sunny Lee, Vicki Lee Taylor, Jáiden Lodge, Andilé Mabhena, Rose Mary O’Reilly, Ben Redfern, Hugo Rolland and Simon Shorten.
Paddington on Strictly & the Royal Variety Performance
The cast of Paddington, including Paddington Bear, recently performed at this year’s Royal Variety Performance 2025 in London, in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales – who met Paddington Bear. The Royal Variety Performance will air on ITV on 21 December 2025.
Paddington is also set to appear on Strictly Come Dancing’s Musicals Week on 6 December 2026. Tom Fletcher will serenade a couple with one of his new songs from Paddington The Musical, with Paddington Bear himself also taking to the dance floor.
Book tickets to Paddington
Paddington The Musical is now playing at the Savoy Theatre in London, booking to 25 October 2026.
Book Paddington The Musical tickets at the Savoy Theatre London
Savoy Theatre, London
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