The iconic bronze statue of Bridget Jones, which has been delighting visitors to London's Leicester Square since its unveiling last November, has now been granted permanent residence. Originally planned for a three-year stay, the statue's lifespan has been extended indefinitely, cementing its place as a beloved cultural landmark.
A Permanent Fixture for a Beloved Character
Standing opposite the Empire Casino and adjacent to the public toilets, the statue joins other famous film characters like Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, and Batman as part of Westminster Council's Scenes in the Square initiative. This move coincides with the 25th anniversary rerelease of the original romcom, Bridget Jones's Diary, which has returned to cinemas to celebrate this milestone.
Celebrating London's Cultural Heritage
Kirsty Tullett-Jones, director of marketing and communications for Discover Leicester Square, expressed enthusiasm for the decision. "For 25 years, Bridget has made Londoners laugh, cry and feel seen," she said. "The reaction to her arrival in Leicester Square has been incredible, showing just how much she continues to resonate with audiences today."
Tullett-Jones added that making Bridget a permanent fixture honors one of the most iconic romcom characters of all time and solidifies her role in British cultural history. The statue, which depicts Bridget clutching her diary and pen while wearing a gaping cardigan that exposes her navel, is the first in the project to immortalize a romcom character.
Star-Studded Unveiling and Future Hopes
The statue was unveiled in November by stars Renée Zellweger and Sally Phillips, alongside Helen Fielding, who created the character in the 1990s for a newspaper column. Fielding's subsequent novels have been published in more than 40 countries, and the four films in the series have a combined box office of $900 million (£683 million).
At the unveiling, Zellweger expressed hope that fans might rub the statue's tummy for luck, calling the bare midriff "very real." Meanwhile, director Michael Morris, who helmed the latest film, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, voiced hopes for a further installment in the series, though Fielding has not yet written a fifth novel.
Continued Popularity and Accolades
The fourth film, Mad About the Boy, was the second highest-grossing movie in the UK last year and received nominations for an Emmy and a Bafta for outstanding British film, despite going straight to streaming in the US. This underscores the enduring appeal of the Bridget Jones franchise, which continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
With its new permanent status, the statue not only celebrates a beloved character but also enhances Leicester Square as a hub for film culture, inviting visitors to engage with a piece of cinematic history that has touched the hearts of millions.
