Documentary reveals Sooty sex controversy and 'no touch' rule

A documentary says the BBC were concerned about adding a female character in the UK TV puppet show Sooty.

Sooty and friends in happier times. The 'controversial' Sue is seen bottom left.

Sooty and friends in happier times. The 'controversial' Soo is seen bottom left. Source: Supplied

Plans to introduce a female puppet to British TV show Sooty were so controversial that the BBC's director-general had to announce a "no touch" rule, a media report says.

Sooty creator Harry Corbett wanted to launch a female puppet on the famous children's TV show in the 1960s. But according to BBC News, a new documentary has revealed that the show's producer and a BBC governor were against Sooty having a girlfriend.

Producer Trevor Hill dismissed the idea, which also caused controversy in the press, on the grounds that "sex would be creeping into the program". BBC director-general Hugh Carleton Greene intervened to allow it and the panda Soo was introduced in 1965.


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Source: AAP


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