Sooty (2001 TV series)

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Sooty is a British children's television series, created and presented by Richard Cadell, and premiered on CITV on 5 November 2001, running for three series. The programme is the fourth programme in the franchise of the same name, and replaced Sooty Heights, with Cadell supported by co-presenter Vicki Lee Taylor, and Brenda Longman during the first series, and Sheila Clark for the remaining series.^[1][2] The programme focuses on the exploits of the titular character and his puppet friends in their running of the hotel, and features many elements used in previous programmes. The show saw the return of a puppet character from the franchise, as well as the creation of a new character.

The programme was originally produced by Gullane Entertainment, before the production company was bought up by HIT Entertainment following the first series. HIT's decision to cut costs and make changes to the programme, including using new puppets, and the replacement of Soo's long term voice artist Brenda Longman, resulted in several members of production leaving the programme, including Vicki Lee Taylor and Sooty being eventually cancelled in January 2004 for many reason's including falling viewing figures. In conclusion, Cadell eventually brought the rights to Sooty and it's franchise and Longman was immediately asked back to continue her role as Soo. After a new pilot aired in 2009, a new series was commissioned in 2011 under the same name, Sooty. This time, Richard, Sooty, Sweep and Soo quit running the hotel and began running a holiday park instead.