PADDINGTON Bear bosses have sued Spitting Image over its parody of the nation’s beloved character.
The satirical puppet show has come under fire for the latest episode of its YouTube series.
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Comedians Al Murray and Matt Forde are behind the online spin-off of the TV show, which was a must-watch in the 1980s and ’90s.
Titled, The Rest is Bulls**t, Paddington is portrayed as a cocaine-using ‘Pablo Esca-Bear’.
Prince Harry was also parodied and portrayed as the co-host.
His puppet says at one point: “I’m here to tell my truth and make a s–t tonne of money out of podcasting as I don’t have any discernible talent.”
Meanwhile the deranged marmalade-loving creature boasts: “I am from Peru, motherf—–s. I am Paddington Bear from Peru.”
The red-eyed bear also says he enjoys “100 per cent Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine”.
In the skit he interviews Elon Musk, advertises guns, robotic sex dolls, and refers to himself as Pablo Esco-bear in an upcoming Netflix show.
As reported by Deadline, StudioCanal has now filed a High Court complaint over the sketch.
Documents revealed the producer is claiming there were concerns with copyright.
The episode also faced fierce backlash from Paddington fans, who claimed the iconic children’s character had been “disrespected” and “ruined”.
The controversial puppet performance was similar to one in recent years which again portrayed Paddington as an erratic drug-user.
Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical, featured the quote: “Cocaine bear has got nothing on Paddington in Peru.
“Paddington’s back… and he’s been through a lot recently.”
In another advertisement on social media, Spitting Image creators wrote: “Are we sure it’s just marmalade in those sandwiches, Paddington?”
US President Donald Trump — in a baby’s bib — also featured beside the King in The Rest is Bulls*** episode, following the State Banquet in September.
Latex lookalikes of the Duke of Sussex and wife Meghan were also royally skewered in the episode.
An Angela Rayner puppet also gave property advice in the sketch, launching a website called Wrongmove.
An ad warns: “Your Cabinet position may be at risk if you don’t heed proper instructions and keep up your correct stamp duty payments.”
It came after the ethics watchdog ruled the real Ms Rayner, who had three homes including a grace-and-favour London flat, breached the ministerial code over £40,000 of unpaid stamp duty.
Studio Canal and Spitting Image were contacted for comment.
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