Original puppets from The Sooty Show belonging to son of children's entertainer Harry Corbett sell for £14,000 at auction

Published: 22:17, 24 April 2026 | Updated: 22:21, 24 April 2026 A collection of original 1960s Sooty, Sweep and Soo puppets belonging to the son of children's entertainer Harry Corbett have sold at auction for nearly £15,000. The famous yellow bear and his pals had been expected to make between £4,000-£6,000 before being bought for over twice their estimate by a life-long fan of the show on Thursday. The 58-year-old building designer, from Lancashire, fought off bidders online, on the phone and in the saleroom, to secure the trio of puppets, which belonged to Dave Corbett. Dave - who with his brother Matthew, was the inspiration behind the global kids TV phenomenon - decided to part with his father's collection after several decades so they could go to a new home. And their new owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, admitted the purchase cost more than his first house - with auction fees, he faces a bill of £14,800. He said: 'A lot of people think I'm mad but it's difficult to describe what they mean to me. 'For me it's more about Sweep than Sooty. Sweep is naughtier and by far the better character, in my opinion. 'But to have all three of them in one package is fantastic. Auctioneer Charles Hanson (pictured) said: 'I know many Sooty fans were hoping the puppets would return to their spiritual roots of Lancashire and I am delighted the trio has found a new home in that great county The original puppets from The Sooty Show belonging to son of children's entertainer Harry Corbett went for £14,000 at auction 'I couldn't believe that I got it. I was shaking like a leaf. 'I immediately phoned my wife and asked her if she was sitting down. She, like me, was absolutely delighted.' He told how he plans to use an inheritance from his late mother to pay for the archive. He said: 'We used to watch the programme together, so I think she would approve.' The collection, which hammered at £11,000, included two Sweeps and two Soos - as well as a mechanical device which operated Soo. Dave is said to be 'delighted' with the result, according to Hansons Auctioneers, who sold the items in Etwall, Derbys. Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: 'I know many Sooty fans were hoping the puppets would return to their spiritual roots of Lancashire and I am delighted the trio has found a new home in that great county.' Dave was just a baby in 1948 when legendary puppeteer Corbett bought a glove puppet to entertain him and brother Matthew, who went on to take over the show. The impulse buy of a 7s 6d yellow puppet - then just known as 'Teddy' - turned into the much-loved children's show thanks to Corbett, who then worked as an engineer for Leeds Council. The archive also included a specially engineered mechanical device made for Dave's mother - Marjorie, who was known as Toabs, and became the voice and 'hand' of Soo in 1964. Dave revealed how he remembers the puppets being part of the family while growing up in the family home in Guisley, near Leeds. He said: 'It was mum who used some soot from the fire on his ears and nose to make him seem more endearing. 'Hence the name Sooty and then later Sweep. 'I remember handing props up to dad from under the table. 'To my dad Sooty was like a child, an actual person and a real part of his life. 'I remember how he would use a pin to meticulously comb Sooty's face to make sure he looked his very best.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.