The Platinum Jubilee sketch that saw Paddington Bear thank Queen Elizabeth II for a lifetime of service on behalf of the nation has been nominated for a BAFTA.
The prestigious awards, recognising excellence in TV, have just one people’s choice prize this year. It’s for ‘Most Memorable Moment’ and the famous scene of Her Late Majesty and Paddington taking tea at the Palace is one of six nominations.
But it’s got some stiff competition to claim the prize. Also nominated is the inspiring end to now legendary TV comedy ‘Derry Girls’ and the haunting rescue of Max in ‘Stranger Things’. Heartstopper, The Real Mo Farah and smash hit ‘The Traitors’ also get nods.
Voting is online with the winner announced at the BAFTAs on May 14 2023.
The Paddington sketch became an iconic moment of the Jubilee celebrations and of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. It was kept secret until transmission at the start of the Party at the Palace on the third day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
Her Late Majesty surprised the world by sitting down to tea with the little bear from Peru who promptly drained the pot and then sent a cream bun flying into the face of a footman. Paddington then scored a scoop by getting Queen Elizabeth II to reveal just what she kept in that famous handbag of hers. As he offered her marmalade sandwiches, Her Late Majesty produced her own pack of sarnies from the bag, saying they were always hidden there ”for later”.
The scene made such an impression that when Queen Elizabeth II died three months later, wellwishers took to leaving marmalade sandwiches among the flowers for her, all with notes reading ”for later”.
You can vote for your Memorable Moment on the BAFTA website.