Origin
Sooty began life as a bear puppet bought from a market stall in 1948 by magician and comedian Harry Corbett for his son Matthew when the family were on holiday.
Background
Harry incorporated the puppet into his act, and came to national prominence on BBC 1’s Talent Night show in 1952.
Sooty also had several annuals, starting in 1957 and released almost every year since, moving from one publisher to the next. Sooty also appeared in both TV Comic and later Pippin.