Sooty's history
Sooty is a glove puppet who has been a British TV legend for forty years.
In 1948, Harry Corbett found the first puppet in a shop in the English seaside resort of Blackpool. He paid 7 shillings for the bear, and with the application of some blacking to the ears, Sooty was born. He made his TV debut in 1952, securing his own childrens show three years later. Corbett acted as the operator and straight man (only he could hear what Sooty said). Sooty displayed a talent for magic, and often made mischief with his water pistol. Over the years he was joined by a friend, a squeaking dog called Sweep, and a girlfriend, a panda called Soo. In 1975, Harry Corbett retired due to ill-health, but his son Matthew took his place. In the Eighties, a cartoon series based on the characters was also produced. In 1998, Matthew Corbett sold the rights to Sooty for £1 million. A new series was recently produced, in which Sooty and his friends run a hotel.
So now you know.
TMF
