As a cameraman, I was paid to stand within a few feet of Yehudi Menuhin performing. I saw Rudolph Nureyev dancing. I couldn't believe I was being paid for that.

I worked on 'Blue Peter' and 'Tonight' and lots of TV plays, filmed people like Rudolf Nureyev and Ted Heath, and ended up a senior cameraman with my own crew. I'd had my first short story published in 1947, and when my writing really started to take off I decided to go freelance, and eventually left the BBC in 1965.

My daughter Karen was born in 1958, the year my first Paddington book came out, so she grew up with him.

Paddington Bear was a refugee with a label - 'Please look after this bear. Thank you', and he had a little suitcase.

I have a flat in Paris and go there a lot, but the Eurostar's much more civilised than flying.

It's nice having a bear about the house.

As a cameraman, I was paid to stand within a few feet of Yehudi Menuhin performing. I saw Rudolph Nureyev dancing. I couldn't believe I was being paid for that.