After Prince Andrew teddy revelation, psychologist reveals what your bear collection says about you
PRINCE Andrew's collection of teddy bears may seem very strange to many – but it turns out he is not alone in keeping childhood cuddlies into adulthood.
We revealed on yesterday’s front page how the embattled Duke of York gave Windsor Castle flunkies strict orders for how to arrange his DOZENS of soft toys on his bed.
Former royal cop Paul Page told how Andrew would be furious if housekeepers at his private apartment laid them out wrongly.
On ITV documentary Ghislaine, Prince Andrew And The Paedophile last night, he said of Andrew’s bed: “It had about 50 or 60 stuffed toys positioned and there was a card in a drawer. It was a picture of these bears all in situ. The reason for the laminated picture was that if those bears weren’t put back in the right order by the maids, he would shout and scream.”
But embarrassing as this revelation may be for Andrew as he faces a sex-abuse lawsuit, 44 per cent of adults STILL snuggle up to baby toys. Although few would have a fit if they were put slightly ear about paw.
With the help of psychologist Jo Hemmings, we match toys to personality types and hear from readers, and celebs, who still sleep with theirs.
Student Rhys White
RHYS is proud to show off best buddy Tigger – still with plenty of bounce, though very worn – having travelled the world with the Hereford lad.
The 23-year-old says: “It’s hard for me to find a picture from my childhood without Tigger in it. Mum was constantly washing and mending him.
"He has been with me everywhere, from Canada to Hawaii, and met the real-life Tigger at Disneyland. I even had a toy passport for him.
“Holding him brings back memories. As kids, we found it soothing. That never goes. Tigger is cool and any girlfriend I have has to love him too. Anyone who thinks it’s uncool to have an old childhood toy is missing out.”
Jo & Richard Bellington
MUSICIAN Joanne and husband Richard, a coffee machine engineer, share a bedroom with her stuffed toy Doggy and also his, Huggy.
Mum Joanne, 49, says: “When I first met Huggy I was jealous. Who can compete with a childhood toy? Richard does get huffy over Doggy. Tthere are times I deny him a cuddle in favour of Doggy.
"And bedroom fun has to wait until I have had my destress time with Doggy. When it’s date night, the toys cover their eyes with their paws.”
Richard, 40, says: “I thought Joanne would think it odd for a man to have a childhood toy. Then when I saw her bedroom, I knew I’d have to marry her because she had Doggy.”
Builder Phil Avery
PHIL does not mind being ribbed about his ted, Winston. The dad of three and stepdad of four has been attached to the treasured toy since the age of three.
The 51-year-old builder, from Falmouth, Cornwall, says: “He has been a faithful companion – getting into as many scrapes as me. I’ve sewn him up twice.
"He has been dragged through mud, covered in food, dunked in the toilet, ended up in the sea while fishing and covered in sawdust from a building job. He has seen it all. I don’t let my kids or step-grandchildren play with him.
"My missus thinks it’s hilarious. But Winston is as important to me as football, beer, building and fishing.”
Giant Ted: LOYAL
YOU know the kind – those huge teddies everyone tried to win at the fair. If you own one, you have a kind and generous nature.
You are not afraid to show emotion and you make a loyal friend. Your open heart and listening skills attract others.
Mini Ted: ATTACHED
LITTLE teddies remind us of our childhood. They are big enough to remind you of your own much-loved cuddly toy but not so big they take over your bedroom.
It may have been a romantic gift and often holds special memories for us.
Old Ted: NOSTALGIC
THE most loved of all. Cuddled to within an inch of its threadbare life, this will have been your main comforter as an infant – soothing you when an adult was not there.
These “transitional objects” remind us of happy times.
Pristine Ted: ORDERED
YOU are smart and organised. A pristine teddy is the Marie Kondo of the teddy world.
He may have been loved but he has not been played with much. You may have been loved as a child, but it was not that demonstrative.
Cuddly rabbit: LOVING
RABBITS are almost as popular as teddies as we will have been familiar with pictures of them – or seeing real ones – from a very early age.
They show a soft and nurturing personality, someone with a lot of love to give.
Heart Ted: ROMANTIC
YOU yearn for more romance – or already have it and put it proudly on display.
It is likely to be something given to you by a child, lover or partner. If you bought it yourself you might feel some love is missing in your life.
Outfit Ted: IMMATURE
DRESSING up a teddy is definitely the province of children – or grown-ups who are not quite ready to take on adult responsibility.
If you are dressing your teddy up in a variety of outfits, that might be related to your own self-esteem issues.
Cartoon toy: SAFE
WE all loved cartoons as kids. Having a cartoon character as a toy resonates with memories of watching that TV show and the associated time of your life.
If they are on your bed, it might indicate this is a part of your life you still miss.
Elephant: INSECURE
WITH their giant ears and long trunk, they show a great sense of humour and a unique approach to life.
You are more likely to be a leader than a follower and are creative. Lots of large toy animals implies you have body image issues.
Hippo: INDEPENDENT
LIKE a stuffed elephant, a hippo is not an obvious first choice. That is their appeal to the more independent minded.
They make the perfect gift as a quirky alternative, especially a grey, gender-fluid one. Pink channels a feminine side.
Panther: HEDONISTIC
ONE of the sexiest of cuddly toys, it says a lot about you, especially if it is large and sleek and lying on your bed.
Channelling your inner tiger or tigress, it is a statement toy. If it looks more like a little black cat than a panther, it might imply sexual issues.
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Blanket: CHILDISH
THERE are throw-type blankets of course, which do not have much sentimental value but blend with bedroom decor.
There are blankets we once used as precious comforters as babies. Better to put it and its memories under the bed, not on it.
CELEBS' SOFT TOYS
EVEN glamorous celebrities, when home from walking the red carpet, oten still cuddle up to trusty soft toys that have seen them through good times and bad. Here are a few tales from the pillow . . .
Margot Robbie: BUNNY RABBIT - Actress Margot, 31, says: “Please, no one psychoanalyse the fact I’m 30 and sleep with a bunny rabbit every night. Also, I know what you’re all thinking: That doesn’t look like a bunny rabbit at all.
"It is but she’s 30 years old, and she’s looking a little worse for wear. I actually only let my mom stitch her up and wash her. Because of Covid, I haven’t seen my mom in almost two years. So she’s looking a bit raggedy.”
Demi Moore: DIL PICKLES FROM RUGRATS - A-lister Demi played a tough character in 90s film GI Jane but she’s a big softie at heart.
Demi, 59, says of her collection: “I look at the little faces of things I have, whether they’re little animals or little something-or-others . . . I’ve always got little faces looking at me. If you look at my bag, I have a little bear, and a Dil Pickles (below) from Rug-rats.”
Carol Vorderman: TEDDY BUNGEE - Telly favourite Carol, 61, says: “Mum desperately wanted to buy me something and on Christmas Eve saw this bear in Woolworths.
“He was discounted to just a few shillings because he had just the one ear. I fell for him immediately. He’s very tatty these days but reminds me of where I came from, and I just like having him around.”
Molly Mae Hague: ELLIE BELLY THE ELEPHANT - Influencer Molly Mae, 22, took her cuddly pal Ellie Belly on Love island in 2019. She said: “He’s been with me since I was a baby. So he has to come into the villa.”
Asked when she knew it was love with fellow Love Islander Tommy Fury, she tweeted: “When he fell in love with my cuddly elephant.”
Janet Street-Porter: MR TED - Loose Women’s Janet, 75, says: “I felt low after my sister died from cancer and decided I’d like to have a little mascot to keep me company.
“I spotted Mr Ted sitting on a second-hand toy stall at my local primary school fete in Lofthouse, North Yorkshire. He cost £3 – what a bargain. It was love at first sight. He’s sexless, doesn’t answer back and has a non-threatening manner. If only all men were like this . . . ”