A Big Hand for Sooty - ITVs 1998 Documentary for Sootys 50th Anniversary
A host of stars feature in this special documentary, celebrating 50 years of the now golden bear.
Sooty is the longest ever running children's show on
British television, and viewers from every generation will have memories of him and his friends. The original yellow bear glove puppet was bought for 7s 6d by
Harry Corbett from the end of
Blackpool Pier in 1948. He made his TV debut in
1952 when his ears were blackened with chimney soot, & his name changed from
Teddy to Sooty. The rest is history.
MATTHEW CORBETT tries to explain Sooty's timeless popularity "
People know what to expect with Sooty. He's gentle fun", but entertainer MATTHEW KELLY asks: "How can an inanimate object that doesn't speak or make a noise become an icon?!". Guests on the programme include:
ANT McPARTLIN &
DEC DONNELL
...