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' 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.