Big hand for
Lovable bear sweeps to victory in vote for our favourite puppet
The original bear was all yellow so creator Harry Corbett covered his ears and nose with soot so that it would show up better on black and white tv – hence the name.
WITH his trademark magic wand and water pistol pranks, Sooty has been keeping children spellbound for nearly seven decades.
So it is no surprise the whispering yellow bear has been voted the nation’s best-loved puppet.
Hand in glove with Sooty were Kermit the Frog and Gordon the Gopher who came second and third.
And despite the popularity of modern digital animation techniques, researchers noted how older characters like Basil Brush, Andy Pandy and Bill and Ben featured heavily in the top 20.
Psychologist Corinne Sweet t said: “It It is no surprise to see traditional golden n oldies such as Sooty, Andy Pandy and Kermit the Frog being voted the nation’s favourite puppets, as they are such a major influence on our childhoods and our p pre-computer cultures.
“Puppets evoke feelings of happiness and no nostalgia, and they also exaggerate qualities we se see in ourselves and in others.
“Children can ‘play act’ with them, and grownups u can express emotions through them, which i is why watching puppets helps us to laugh, relax and de-stress.”
Sooty was brought to life in 1948 when
Year Sooty was ‘born’ when Harry Corbett bought the puppet from a stall in Blackpool The cheeky squeaky voiced dog is Sooty’s best friend and has a well known love for sausages and bones. He won new fans with versions of Pavarotti and Lady Gaga songs.