Sooty And Richard Cadell Join Grand Theatre's SLEEPING BEAUTY

Wolverhampton Grand have announced that teddy bear royalty, Sooty, will star in this year's magical family pantomime SLEEPING BEAUTY, alongside his good friend Richard Cadell, with Debbie McGee, Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams from Saturday 8 December.

The television, stage, comic book, animation and film star made his screen debut over 66 years ago and in that time has delighted audiences of millions worldwide with his cheeky sense of humour, jaw-dropping magic tricks and hilarious mishaps, despite not ageing whatsoever.

Ably supported by his original owner and friend Henry Corbett (and later his son Matthew) Sooty became a regular on the BBC's Saturday Special, and fronted his own programmes The Sooty Show and Sooty & Co. More recently he appeared on CITV's Sooty and Sooty Heights with his current guardian Richard Cadell. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running continuing children's programme in the UK. He also got into all sorts of trouble when his original owner Henry Corbett received the OBE, whereupon he squirted His Royal Highness Prince Philip with water but received his own miniature version of the accolade nonetheless.

On stage, Sooty and his friends have regularly appeared in theatres across the nation in an array of different productions and pantomimes which saw him perform his range of eye-popping magic tricks and cause all sorts of mischief as only he can.

In SLEEPING BEAUTY, Sooty will play himself with Richard Cadell as The Jester. They will join the previously announced stars Debbie McGee and returning favourites Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams in yet another unmissable Grand pantomime.

Sooty was unavailable for comment but speaking about their casting Richard Cadell said: "Sooty is beside himself at the prospect of starring in Sleeping Beauty in Wolverhampton this Christmas, it's a role he's always wanted to play and gives him plenty of opportunity to entertain all the boys and girls and their parents too."

Associate Director of Development and Communications at the Grand Theatre Vicky Price said; "we're delighted that Sooty is joining our pantomime cast with Richard Cadell this year. Our pantomime is always a magical experience for the entire family and who better to bring the magic than everyone's favourite teddy!"

Watch a video message from Sooty:

Audiences shouldn't snooze any longer and book their tickets for SLEEPING BEAUTY now.

Tickets can be booked in person at the theatre, by calling 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.