Colin Firth 'Consciously Uncoupling From Paddington Bear'

Colin Firth has announced that he is "consciously uncoupling" from the live-action movie based on the Paddington Bear books.

The British star was set to voice the CGI version of the much-loved Peruvian immigrant in a forthcoming high-budget feature film Paddington.

But now it seems he's had an amicable split from the film - which boasts a fabulous cast including Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Waters, Jim Broadbent and Peter Capaldi.

Firth said: "It's been bittersweet to see this delightful creature take shape and come to the sad realization that he simply doesn't have my voice.

"I've had the joy of seeing most of the film and it's going to be quite wonderful. I still feel rather protective of this bear and I'm pestering them all with suggestions for finding a voice worthy of him."

A teaser (with no words from the bear) was released earlier this year.