What’s that you say, Sweep? You hope you make a better price than Sooty? Well, history suggests the squeaky grey puppet might be disappointed, but the question will be decided on 18 November with the sale of two of the puppets used in the much-loved children’s television show.
An authentic Sooty and Sweep, alongside a Soo, from the collection of the show’s former props expert and stage manager, the late Peter Jago, will make a special appearance at an auction held by Ewbank’s in Surrey. And so, too, will Sooty’s water pistol, a weapon that regularly wreaked damp havoc.
Two years ago, a slightly older original Sooty puppet from the show sold at auction in Derbyshire for three times its initial estimate. The 50-year-old vintage model went for £3,100 to an American buyer, a birthday present for a “lifelong fan”. And in 2018, a Sooty puppet dating from the 1950s was sold by the auctioneer Hansons for £14,500.
Masters of slapstick charm, Sooty and friends have been favourites for almost 70 years. The stars of TV’s longest-running programme for children, they were the creation of Harry Corbett. His son Matthew, who was known for appearances on the popular show Rainbow, took over as host of The Sooty Show in the mid-1970s and employed Jago, who had trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, and worked in theatres, holiday camps and cruise ships.
Beginning as a stage manager on the show in 1976, he went on to become production manager and one of the main puppeteers. Jago often played the role of Sweep’s dad and operated Sweep’s squeaky voice (originally created using a saxophone reed). And yet all the while Jago, who died in 2016, continued to make sets for the show, painting scenery and props. He even wrote music and several scripts for the programme. Sooty’s catchphrase “Izzy wizzy, let’s get busy” comes to mind.
Jago left the show in 1985 but was drawn back into the world of Sooty and Sweep in 1993, working with Corbett Jr until the host’s retirement in 1998. Corbett, now 73, has since said he regarded Jago as the inspiration for the decision to frame individual episodes around a theme or narrative, rather than a series of sketches.
The puppets and props from the show, including the notorious water pistol, are to go under the hammer together, but the star lot is the Sooty puppet used on the show during the 1990s, estimated to go for £1,000-£1,500. A Sweep puppet from the same period is guide priced at £500-£800, while a Soo, despite her colourful dress, is expected to go for £400-£600.
Jago continued working as a stage manager and puppeteer with the Corbetts’ successor, Richard Cadell, who later bought the Sooty company, but he retired from the show in the early 2000s, occasionally returning to make a special appearance as a puppeteer. “This is a charming consignment from a talented man who devoted much of his professional life to keeping the Sooty flame alive for generations of children,” said Ewbank’s specialist Alastair McCrea.
“As can be seen from his long association with the show, Peter Jago was held in high esteem by those he worked with. By maintaining his working materials so well over the years, he has left a legacy which will allow fans to hold on to their childhood memories.
“This is going to be a memorable sale,” added McCrea, “but we are keeping a close eye on Sooty and Sweep to make sure they don’t try to take over the rostrum.”