Hold onto your marmalade sandwiches, people, Paddington Bear has officially entered the race for Christmas No.1.
Today (November 28) marks the release of the brand-new single One Of Us, taken from the new production Paddington The Musical, which is currently previewing at the Savoy Theatre in London.
Released via Decca, this version of the song has been performed by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, who wrote both the music and lyrics. Moreover, it has already been tipped for Christmas No. 1 2025 at 6/1 odds, with Wham!, Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Sabrina Carpenter and Ed Sheeran among other names being lined up for a festive victory. Earlier this week, the team behind Together For Palestine – the sold-out Wembley concert that raised over £2 million – also announced that its charity single, Lullaby, will be released on December 12 and is hoping to secure a Christmas No.1 and raise urgent, life-saving funds.
Speaking to Music Week about the launch, Decca president Laura Monks said: "One Of Us is a beautiful song, both in its message and the power of the music. It deserves to be shared and enjoyed by all at this special time of year. We’re proud to be supporting the incredibly talented Tom Fletcher and the whole team at Paddington The Musical on this latest adventure in the run up to the full cast album release in 2026. So… please take care of this Bear and help him get to No.1!”
Speaking about the impending battle for Christmas No.1, Official Charts Company chief executive, Martin Talbot, said: “A Christmas No.1 race isn’t complete without the arrival on the starting blocks of a bona fide legend. The vision of Paddington taking on this year’s diverse gaggle of new festive chart contenders, alongside seasonal classics from The Pogues, Mariah and Wham!, will be something to savour.”
We’re proud to be supporting the incredibly talented Tom Fletcher and the whole team at Paddington The Musical on this latest adventure in the run up to the full cast album release in 2026
Laura Monks, Decca
The full album, Paddington The Musical – Original Cast Recording, will be released by Decca in March 2026, and on collectible vinyl edition in May 2026, recorded with the complete West End cast, and full orchestra at Abbey Road Studios.
Decca's Laura Monks was inducted into the Music Week Women In Music Awards Roll Of Honour earlier this year – you can read her interview here.
Monks also appeared as part of Music Week's huge Universal Music Group UK cover story, which you can read here.
Photo: Isha Shah
