Sooty (2011 TV series)

Did You Know?

• The series pilot, "The Big Day Out", was released direct-to-DVD on 28 August 2009.
• On 21 February 2022, a special episode was released to promote the opening of Sooty Land at Crealy Theme Park.
• The show was broadcast Saturday and Sunday mornings on ITV1 at 7:25am, and Monday mornings on ITVBe at 9:15am.

Overview

Richard Cadell, who co-owned Brean Leisure Park, began working at the park’s Slater’s Holiday Park in this series. He shares his home with Sooty, Sweep, and Soo, and their antics frequently create problems for Richard with the park’s owner. Celebrity guests appear in most episodes. After buying the Sooty franchise rights in June 2008, Cadell invested £30,000 in a 2009 pilot, which convinced ITV to order 26 episodes. Filming happened mainly outdoors in July 2011; during one episode, Paul Daniels was hurt when a pizza was thrown at him. BBC Worldwide became the series’ licensor for Australia and New Zealand in October 2014. The show returned for a final six-episode run in 2018.

Cast and characters

Richard Cadell portrays himself as the show's long-suffering host, living in a caravan with the puppet characters. The main character is Sooty, a silent yellow bear who wields a magic wand activated by saying "Izzy wizzy, Let's get busy!" Sweep is a slow-witted grey dog that communicates through odd squeaks. Soo, voiced by Brenda Longman, is a composed female panda who balances out Sooty and Sweep. Martyn James plays Mr. Slater, the irritable holiday park boss who frequently threatens to fire Richard. Joe Pasquale appears as the Black Hand, Sooty's villainous rival dressed in yellow and black. Celebrity guests have included Matthew Corbett, Stacey Solomon, Frank Bruno, Peter Andre, Keith Chegwin, and Ann Widdecombe.