A “retired” Sooty used by Richard Cadell on TV for years could skyrocket to £2,000 for an educational charity when it goes under the hammer on 22nd January. The puppet was donated by Cadell to the charity MajorTim.space and their Young Ambassador Programme which provides opportunities for young people to interview STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) professionals/celebrities and attend events.
2026 marks the 10th Anniversary of the MajorTim.space charitable non-profit organisation.
In a letter of authenticity, Richard Cadell, said: “This signed Sooty puppet was frequently used on ITV’s The Sooty Show, CITV and ITVBe. He was my particular hard-working friend and tool of the trade for some years, making him rare. Please love him and take care of him during his retirement”. Cadell became the ‘hand’ of Sooty, taking over from Matthew Corbett, son of the legendary Harry Corbett, in 1998.
Alongside Sooty, a Soo puppet, is also going under the hammer at HansonsAuctioneers’ Etwall saleroom, donated and signed by Brenda Longman who has voiced the lovable panda Soo for over 40 years. Brenda said: “Richard and I would so love this star of the programme to make as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. So izzy wizzy let’s get busy”.
Both puppets are set to raise money for the MajorTim.space charity, founded in 2016 by Amelia Jane Piper, when she was just 14.
Now 23, she said: “My family has three generations of Sooty fans. I have known Richard Cadell for many years and Brenda Longman has worked with the MajorTim.space charity for several years. We are a non-profit organisation and Richard very kindly donated one of his personal Sooty puppets that has been used many times on TV. We are extremely grateful to our friends Brenda and Richard for their support”.
The famous yellow puppet is signed on the inside “Best Wishes Richard Cadell and Sooty” and comes with a picture of Cadell with the Sooty.
Two of the MajorTim.space Young Ambassadors, Florence Dowrick, 13 and Ellie Taylor-Brewin, 11, will be attending the auction fulfilling lifelong dreams.
Florence and Ellie from Liverpool and Crewe respectively said: “we are really looking forward to interviewing Charles Hanson and visiting Hanson’s Auctioneers. Watching the Sooty puppets being auctioned will be such a brilliant experience, we are excited to see how much they sell for!”
Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: “For someone of my generation Sooty and Sweep, with their mischief and slapstick humour, were iconic and I am delighted they continue to entertain youngsters today. For Richard to sign and donate a Sooty is wonderful, and the same is true for Brenda and Soo. I can’t want to see bidders get izzy wizzy busy and raise some money for this wonderful charity. It will also be a pleasure to meet Florence and Ellie, two of the charity’s Young Ambassadors and show them something of how the auction world operates.”
The original signed Sooty with a photograph of Cadell has an estimate of £1,500-£2,000 at Hansons Auctioneers’ toy sale at its Etwall saleroom on 22nd January 2026. Soo, signed by Brenda Longman with signed photograph, has an estimate of £200-£300 at the same sale.
- Website – http://majortim.space/
- YouTube – MajorTim.space
- Facebook – MajorTim.space
- Twitter – @majortimspace
Auction Details
Auction: Hansons Diecast, Model Railway, Live Steam & Collectable Toy Auction
Auction date: 22nd January 2026 | 10am
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
