An original Sooty and Soo given to their owner by legendary puppeteer Harry Corbett in the 1960s could make up to £6,000 when they go under the hammer this week.
Donna Paris, 57, was a toddler when she received the furry duo from the famous entertainer in 1969.
At the time her dad, Ron Martin, was Sweep – or at least his operator – a role he had for two years both on TV and touring.
She said: “Dad, as Sweep, was on tour with Harry and The Sooty Show doing a stint at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre. Mum was an usherette, and I was in a pram at the side of the theatre. When I threw a tantrum, Harry came over and gave me Sooty to keep me quiet.”
When the scene was repeated a week later, Harry Corbett offered the crying Donna a puppet of Sooty’s girlfriend, Soo.
She has held on to both puppets ever since, with her beloved Soo now the more threadbare.
She said: “I was a girlie girl and latched onto Soo who became my comforter. I couldn’t sleep without her till about the age of 10. Originally she wore a polka dot skirt but that soon got worn out. Mum made her loads of new outfits over the years but she really is in a sorry state.”
Sooty and Soo were both kept in the loft of her London home, but now Donna has made the difficult decision to sell the pair as part of a downsize.
Donna’s dad Ron, from Dorset, was working as a magician and Butlins red coat on the south coast when Harry Corbett asked him to join the iconic show.
Donna, who went on to train as a dancer and opened a dance school in London, continued: “Harry headhunted my dad. Manipulating the puppets needed a sleight of hand so children’s entertainers, especially magicians were his preferred choice.
“I remember dad saying how he used his little finger and thumb operate Sweep’s trademark squeak with the other three fingers for the rest of his body.”
Also included for sale are a number of photos of Harry Corbett with Donna and rest of the family, as well as telegrams from Corbett.
Donna continued: “Harry was a generous and lovely man and went on to become a good family friend. Obviously, I became a huge fan of the show. It is iconic. Even today the slapstick is hilarious, it really has stood the test of time.
“I was in the hairdressers the other day and mentioned the upcoming sale to the woman next to me and the fact that my dad had been Sweep. It was as if I’d told her he was the king – she was so amazed and impressed.”
Hansons Auctioneers’, Steve Fulford, said: “This is a one-off opportunity to own a piece of British television history as well as one of the most-loved puppets of all time. In terms of their provenance, and the fact both Sooty and Soo were given by Harry Corbett to the vendor, it couldn’t be better.”
An original puppet used by Harry Corbett sold in 2018 for £14,500, a believed world-record price for a Sooty puppet at the time.
Auction Details
Auction: The October Derbyshire Diecast, Model Railway, Live Steam & Collectable Toys Auction
Auction date: 23rd October 2025 | 9:30am
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
