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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 Cousin Scampy (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 19761976 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). Events January January 12 UN Security Council votes 11-1 to admit the Palestinian Liberation Organization January 15 Would-be Gerald Ford presidential assassin Sara Jane Moore is s Matthew takes over his father's role
• Sooty and Co. is aired on ITV with Granada TelevisionGranada Television is the British Independent Television (commercial television) contractor for the "North of England" weekday franchise from 1954 (started broadcasting in 1956) until 1968, and for the "Northwest England" all-week franchise since 1968. { 19931993 is a common year starting on Friday and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003 Events January January 1 Czechoslovakia divides. Establishment of independent Slovakia and Czech Republic.- 19981998 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Ocean''. Events January January 1998 A massive ice storm, caused by El Nino, strikes New England, southern Ontario and Quebec, resulting)
  • In 19981998 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Ocean''. Events January January 1998 A massive ice storm, caused by El Nino, strikes New England, southern Ontario and Quebec, resulting Matthew retired and hand-picked Richard Cadell to replace him
• Sooty, a animated cartoon series is aired ( 19961996 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty''. Events January January 5 Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash is killed by an Israeli-planted booby-trapped cell phone Jan-?)
• Sooty Heights was aired on ITV ( 2000This page is about the year 2000. See 2000 AD for the UK comic book, Number 2000 for other uses. 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar), and also the International Year for a Culture of Peace''. Events Y2K passes without the seri- 20012001 is a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall ap)