Live Updates – Follow Sara Cox’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Radio 2 in aid of Children in Need
40 years of Pudsey!published at 11:26 GMT
Wondering what inspired Sara’s epic trek to get Pudsey (the bear on Sara’s backpack) to Pudsey (the town)?
Well, it’s because this year we’re celebrating 40 years of Pudsey Bear of course!
So it’s apt that we pay tribute to everyone’s favourite yellow bear by finishing the challenge at the place that inspired his name!
Pudsey’s creator Joanna Lane, who worked in the BBC’s design department, named our beloved Children in Need mascot after her hometown.
But how about some more fun facts about Pudsey – here are four more to mark the 40 years!
1. The more familiar version of Pudsey with yellow fur debuted in 1986, and he adopted a multicoloured bandana in 2007. The first Pudsey bear was actually brown, with a red bandana – as shown in this BBC Archive photo with Joanna Lumley!
2. Pudsey’s best friend is a female bear named Blush!
3. In 2012, a series of special Pudsey toys were made by famous designers, including Victoria Beckham, Alexander McQueen, plus Burberry, Gucci and Prada.
4. And, who would have guessed it, but Pudsey’s favourite colour is… yellow, obviously!
