The classic British rom-com film series Bridget Jones is back for a fourth instalment and while plenty of fans are obviously buzzing, a key character won’t be returning to the cast.
The latest movie in the franchise, Bridget Jones’s Baby, was released back in 2016 and received fairly solid reviews for the most part following its 12-year hiatus and it looks as though the return was successful enough to adapt the most recent book as well.
Based on the 2013 novel of the same name, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, the upcoming return of the often overwhelmed, awkward and hopeless romantic lead character is set to see Renée Zellweger reprise role alongside key love interest Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver.
However, while Emma Thompson and others are also expected to return, veteran English actor Colin Firth will not be starring in Bridget Jones 4.
A new ‘BRIDGET JONES’ movie will release on February 14, 2025 on Peacock.
Renée Zellweger will reprise her role & star alongside Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall. pic.twitter.com/lDTTXg5I8n
As per a report by Deadline and as fans of the books will already know, 63-year-old Firth – who famously played the series’ other main heartthrob Mark Darcy in the first three films – isn’t part of the latest project as his character doesn’t appear in the latest title.
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Without giving too much away about the story, especially since author Helen Fielding hasn’t given away too much about how faithful the latest Hollywood movie will stay to her original written work, let’s just say the iconic British comedy and modern romance character is in a different place in her life.
However, the entertainment outlet did go on to reveal previously unknown details about the story’s adaptation for the big screen, confirming that Love Actually actor Chiwetel Ejiofor will be popping up in this one, as well as Netflix’s One Day star Leo Woodall.
While diligent readers who are completely up to date with everything printed so far can at least have a good idea of what to expect from the new Bridget Jones film, the rest of you will have to wait.
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As for exactly how long you’ll have to wait, well, that’s still kind of up in the air too. Although it has already been slated for Valentine’s Day 2025 in the US and international cinemas, as well as on the Peacock streaming platform, the UK release date is yet to be revealed.
— Barefoot Spooky Bartender 👣💀🍹 (@barefoottiki) October 10, 2024
“Be assured there won’t be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404°C.
“It is being looked at and hopefully sorted asap.”
BBC Weather shared: “You may have noticed some data issues on our app and website. We are working hard to fix it quickly. Sorry – please bear with us.
“In the meantime here are Thursday’s weather headlines: -Colder, clearer air moving in -Rain and drizzle in south -Blustery showers near east coast”
And national treasure Carol Kirkwood said live on air: “We are having a technical glitch at the moment. It’s showing wind speeds far too fast, in fact, hurricane strength and that is not the case at all.
“Please don’t be alarmed. We are aware of it and on it.”
At the time of writing, the BBC Weather forecast service is still predicting hurricane force winds for the UK. Eek.
BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph
A Paddington Bear statue has been unveiled in the heart of darkest Manchester
Daisy Jackson
An adorable statue of Paddington Bear has been installed in Manchester, inviting passers-by to pull up a seat.
The little likeness to the much-loved animated character is complete with red hat, blue duffle coat and even his emergency marmalade sandwich.
The Paddington Bear statue has been installed as part of the Paddington Visits trail right across the UK and Ireland, celebrating the upcoming release of Paddington in Peru.
The third installment of the heart-warming film series is set for release on 8 November 2024.
The Paddington statue in Manchester has been constructed onto a bench with space beside him to sit with the loveable bear, and will be in situ for at least the next year.
He’s appeared in the middle of Spinningfields at Hardman Square.
Hugh Bonneville, who plays Mr. Brown in the Paddington films, said: “I am thrilled to reveal we are going to be unveiling a number of benches across the UK, all featuring a statue of our beloved bear.
“Ahead of the new film, fans, families and friends can sit down and have a chat with the marmalade loving bear, so watch this space for more information about Paddington…coming to a bench near you!”
In Paddington in Peru, Paddington will return home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears.
With The Brown Family and Mrs Bird in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mysterious disappearance plunges them into an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peaks of Peru.
Danny Jones -
10th April 2024 
