Soot

Sooty is a popular puppet character in the UK.

He was originally devised and operated by Harry Corbett (nephew of fish and chip shop chain owner Harry Ramsden). Sooty, a small yellow bear with black ears, who was mute to the audience but could communicate with Harry by apparently whispering in his ear, was featured on British TV from 1952. He would later be joined by other puppet characters Sweep (a dog), Soo (a panda bear), Kipper (a cat), Butch (another dog), Ramsbottom (a snake), and Scampi (another bear). Following Harry Corbett's retirement, Sooty was operated by his son, Matthew Corbett, and enjoyed a new wave of popularity.

Sooty fluctuated between kindness, cheekiness, and downright naughtiness, very often misinterpreting things said or suggested by Harry, Matthew or Soo (possibly intentionally). He played the xylophone and kept a wand with which he performed magic. This was accompanied by the catchphrase "Izzy wizzy, let's get busy!"

Television appearances

• First appears on the BBC's Talent Night (1952)
• Sooty and Harry become regulars on the BBC children's show Saturday Special (1952-1955)
• The Sooty Show is aired on the BBC (1955-1967)
  • In 1957 Sooty is joined by Sweep, and in 1964 Soo is introduced as Sooty's girlfriend
• The Sooty Show is cancelled by the BBC, changes to Thames Television and is aired on ITV (1967-1992)
  • In 1976 Matthew takes over his father's role
• Sooty and Co. is aired on ITV with Granada Television {1993-1998)
  • In 1998 Matthew retired and hand-picked Richard Cadell to replace him
• Sooty, a animated cartoon series is aired (1996-?)
• Sooty Heights was aired on ITV (2000-2001)