A bronze statue of beloved literary character Bridget Jones has been permanently installed in London’s Leicester Square, celebrating three decades since the fictional diarist first appeared in print.
The life-sized sculpture depicts the iconic character clutching her diary while dressed in her signature cardigan and miniskirt. The artwork joins other famous fictional figures in the square’s cinema-themed trail, recognizing the area’s status as a premier film destination.
Author Helen Fielding, who created the character in a 1990s newspaper column, attended the unveiling alongside actress Renée Zellweger, who portrayed Bridget in four feature films. Zellweger described the experience of seeing the character immortalized in bronze as “unexpected but delightful.”
The statue captures Bridget holding writing materials rather than her traditional glass of wine or cigarette, reflecting the character’s evolution across the film series. While maintaining the character’s original fashion sense, the sculpture shows a more streamlined figure than in earlier depictions.
Fielding reflected on the character’s enduring appeal, noting that Bridget’s relatability stems from “the gap between how we feel we’re expected to be and how we actually are.” She emphasized that the character’s imperfections and very British qualities of kindness, friendship, and self-deprecating humor continue to resonate with new generations.
The author also highlighted contemporary pressures facing young people, suggesting that social media and digital filters have intensified body image concerns beyond what existed when she first created the character.
The statue’s installation coincides with the recent release of the fourth Bridget Jones film, which performed strongly in UK cinemas. Production company representatives expressed hope for future installments in the series while acknowledging changing distribution patterns in the entertainment industry.
Fielding used the occasion to call for greater investment in arts funding distributed fairly across the country, noting the creative talent existing beyond London.
The sculpture now stands as a permanent tribute to one of Britain’s most cherished fictional creations, representing both the character’s cultural impact and the enduring appeal of stories about imperfect but endearing protagonists navigating modern life.
