A charming song created for the new West End production, Paddington The Musical, has emerged as a surprise frontrunner in the race for this year's coveted Christmas number one spot in the UK.
Penned by Tom Fletcher, the vocalist from the popular band McFly, the track titled 'One Of Us' was released as a single on Friday, 28th November 2025. It has quickly been installed among the bookmakers' favourites to claim the festive chart crown.
A Festive Chart Battle
Martin Talbot, the chief executive of The Official Charts Company, expressed his excitement about the entry. He stated that the Christmas number one race feels incomplete without a 'bona fide legend' joining the competition. He added that the prospect of Paddington competing against a diverse mix of new contenders and perennial seasonal classics from artists like The Pogues, Mariah Carey, and Wham! is a delightful scenario.
The single is accompanied by a music video that features the beloved bear from Michael Bond's stories at Paddington Station, alongside Tom Fletcher himself.
From Stage to Charts
In the West End production, which is currently in previews at London's Savoy Theatre, the song 'One Of Us' is performed by the character Mrs Brown, played by Amy Ellen Richardson.
The musical has already garnered significant attention, receiving rave reviews ahead of its official opening. Its profile was further boosted by a royal seal of approval. The Prince and Princess of Wales met Paddington Bear backstage at the Royal Variety Performance, where they also encountered Tom Fletcher.
Prince William praised Fletcher's work on the new musical as 'fantastic'. He also humorously noted the marmalade sandwich in Paddington's paw, remarking, 'Your sandwich looks very nice.'
This is not Paddington's first interaction with the Royal Family. The bear famously appeared in a sketch with the late Queen Elizabeth II for her platinum jubilee celebrations in 2022, where the Queen revealed she also kept marmalade sandwiches in her handbag.
Other Contenders and a Lasting Legacy
The track faces stiff competition for the top spot. Other notable artists in the running for the Christmas number one include Kylie Minogue, Ed Sheeran, and Sabrina Carpenter.
If successful, Paddington would join a small group of children's characters to have conquered the UK singles chart. Mr Blobby achieved the feat in 1993, and Bob The Builder reached number one in 2000 with his song 'Can We Fix It?'.
Looking beyond the single, a complete album of music from Paddington The Musical, composed by Fletcher, is scheduled for release by Decca in March 2026. A vinyl edition of the record will follow in May 2026.
The beloved bear, who first appeared in print in 1958, has been the subject of numerous adaptations, including a 1976 BBC television series and a successful series of films in 2014, 2017, and 2024. The character is currently at the centre of a legal dispute concerning a puppet that rights holders claim bears a resemblance to Paddington.
