Sitting in an armchair strapped atop his green mini with his loyal Teddy by his side, Mr Bean celebrated 25 years of his popular television antics on Friday with a London drive to Buckingham Palace. His car filled with presents, the comedy character portrayed by British actor Rowan Atkinson used a mop to guide the car, just as Mr Bean did in one of the sitcom's episodes after filling his mini with purchases from a store sale.
Along with his loyal Teddy, Mr Bean met with fans and posed for photos with police officers.
Asked why he was riding on top of his mini, he said: "Because the car's full of my presents which I had to buy - but they're presents. They're addressed to me. So as far as I'm concerned they're my presents and I'm going to enjoy them thoroughly."
Bean was developed while Atkinson was studying for his master's degree in electrical engineering at Queen's College, Oxford. A sketch featuring the character was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in the early 1980s. A similar character called Robert Box, played by Atkinson, appeared in the one-off 1979 ITV sitcom Canned Laughter, which also featured routines used in the film Bean.
During its five-year run, the series gained large UK audience figures, including 18.74 million for the 1991 episode "The Trouble with Mr. Bean". The series has received a number of international awards, including the Rose d'Or. The show has been sold in 245 territories worldwide and has inspired an animated cartoon spin-off, two feature films, and an appearance at the London 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony (although the character at the latter was not actually Bean, according to both Atkinson and Olympic opening ceremony director Danny Boyle).
Twitter fans of Mr Bean also posted pictures of the event.
Rowan Atkinson celebrated Mr. Bean's 25th Anniversary outside of Buckingham Palace. MY CHILDHOOD IS COMPLETE. pic.twitter.com/afiuYiBWz9
— Closeted Gay Guy (@CGGuy44) September 7, 2015
Rowan Atkinson recreated one of Mr Bean's best-loved sketches to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary in London. pic.twitter.com/o3adMHxyeX
— BERNAMA Radio24 (@bernamaradio24) September 7, 2015
"Mr Bean drives to Buckingham Palace on the roof of his car to celebrate turning 25" Happy 25th birthday, Mr.Bean! 😁 pic.twitter.com/Yexrafr2Vm
— Syahirah Shaari (@syahirahshaari) September 6, 2015
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