It feels so good to FINALLY!!! post some really good Sooty News at
last. News from The Stage Newspaper.


Children's TV favourite Sooty has been bought by the show's presenter
Richard Cadell on the puppet's 60th birthday.

Cadell, who has been presenting the show since 1998, purchased the
rights to Sooty from Bridgefilms for a "significant sum".

He told The Stage he is currently working on new material for a live
tour entitled Sooty in Space, which will premiere in February,
following smaller shows in Butlins resorts around the country. Cadell
will also appear in a pantomime with the bear and his sidekick Sweep,
alongside former EastEnders actress Letitia Dean, at the Grove
Theatre in Dunstable. The show will be produced by his production
company Duo Entertainment.

He said: "The routines that I've been presenting are Harry Corbett's
[creator of Sooty] from the fifties and the kids still scream with
laughter, exactly the same way that they did 50 years ago. Kids
haven't changed. We've got a revival of Paddington Bear, Rupert,
Basil Brush, names that parents now trust.

"Look at society and knife crime, I'm sure that is influenced by
computer games and graphics. I think people are now thinking back to
how things were - simple, with good values, and I think Sooty falls
into that category."

Cadell, who first appeared as a guest on the show at the age of 15,
is also developing three formats for a new TV series. Plans include a
sitcom-style show based on the puppets working in a handyman agency,
a studio-based live variety show and a pre-school game show. He said
he has also piloted a radio programme with the silent puppet and is
looking to expand on that.

This month marks the 60th year since Corbett bought the Sooty puppet
from Blackpool pier as a present for his son Matthew, before
transforming it into a TV show for the BBC in 1952. Corbett Jnr went
on to present the programme from 1976 and sold the rights in 1996 for
£1.4 million, following his retirement.

He said: "I'm delighted that Sooty is in, or should I say on, the
right hands. Richard Cadell is as close to a Corbett as you can get
and we're very confident that he will give Sooty the love and
attention he deserves."

Published Thursday 26 June 2008 at 11:25 by Lalayn Baluch
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/21109/sooty-celebrates-
his-60th-year-with-a-new

Great news so please leave a comment.

Also worth noting what Richard posted on this board two months ago
" I'm sure you've seen that HIT are selling Sooty again and I'm sure
this is great news...I have spoken with a few people in the know and
as soon as i have any news I'll let you all know".

and some brand new Sooty video posted on You Tube.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wcgNfyQIHw8

and we also a group on facebook so if u are a member on this social
network please join our group.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23781693368

Also confirming work will begin on updating the main Reaching Brand
New Sooty Heights tomorrow. So today is a great day for Sooty.

BRIAN