Sooty puppeteer in ‘advance talks with American TV network, 75 years after character made UK debut’

Sooty is finally poised to crack America, 75 years after making his television debut in the UK. 

Puppeteer Richard Cadell, 53, has revealed that he is in ‘advanced talked’ with a top network about a show across the pond.

He told The Sun that he hopes to mimmic the success of fellow British bear Paddington, who has gone on to star in two hit movies.

Big break: Sooty is finally poised to crack America, 75 years after making his television debut in the UK

The mute yellow glove puppet, who was created by Harry Corbett, first hit UK screens in 1955 and went on to be joined by panda pal Sue and dog Sweep.

Richard, who took over as puppeteer in 1998, told the publication:  ‘We had a phone call from an American television producer who said, ‘I’ve been told Sooty is as iconic in the UK as Sesame Street is in the US’.

‘It is about time. They love everything else that we do like Paddington and The Royals’.

Big shoes to fill: Puppeteer Richard Cadell said he hopes to mimmic the success of fellow British bear Paddington, who has gone on to star in two hit movies

Throwback: The mute yellow glove puppet, who was created by Harry Corbett, first hit UK screens in 1955 and went on to be joined by panda pal Sue and dog Sweep

Before adding: ‘I think it would smash Is America ready for Sooty and Sweep? That’s the question.’

MailOnline have contacted Richard’s reps for further comment.  

He went on to reveal that King Charles and Camilla are huge fans of the puppet and he has appeared numerous times at their birthday parties. 

It comes after Sweep’s puppet made an  astonishing £3,000 at auction last year. 

Hitting the big time: Richard (pictured) who took over as puppeteer in 1998, told the publication: ‘We had a phone call from an American television producer who said, ‘I’ve been told Sooty is as iconic in the UK as Sesame Street is in the US

The price was more than treble the amount expected – and £250 more than the figure reached for Sooty – who sold for £1,500.

The original puppets were part of a collection of memorabilia from The Sooty Show which belonged to Peter Jago, one of the main puppeteers, who died in 2016.

In total it made over £11,000 when it went under the hammer at Ewbank’s auctioneers in Surrey.

Throwback: Sooty hit the big time on TV’s with creator Harry Corbett’s son Matthew (pictured in 1968) 

The collection of items featured in the children’s puppet show blew estimated sale prices out of the water.

Sooty’s Little Cousin Scampi, a late edition to the format in the early 1990s, attracted a price of £2,000.

Along with the original puppets, props and costumes from the show were also sold, including the white rabbit and magic box from Sooty’s conjuring routine, his notorious water pistol and his magic wands.

Royals: He went on to reveal that King Charles and Camilla are huge fans of the puppet and he has appeared numerous times at their birthday parties (pictured in 2018) 

The full collection sold for a £11,250 including premium – three times expectations on November 18.

Ewbanks specialist Alistair McCrea said: ‘Fortunately Sooty and Sweep behaved themselves very well and managed to keep Little Cousin Scampi in check throughout the proceedings.

‘We were delighted with the reaction of bidders, There’s no doubt that this collection caused quite a stir.’

Singer: Despite being mute Sooty has recorded a christmas album to help raise funds for Childline  – pictured with the charity’s patron Dame Esther Rantzen