Voting Station

Harry Corbett

Please vote to see the next celebrity.

Puppeteer

The Resume

    (January 28, 1918-August 17, 1989)
    Born in Bradford, England, United Kingdom
    Amateur magician
    Puppeteer for Sooty
    Winner on 'Talent Night' (1952)
    Regular on 'Saturday Special' (1952-55)
    Hosted 'The Sooty Show' (1955-75)
    Sold interest in 'The Sooty Show' to son Matthew after suffering a heart attack (1976)

Why he might be annoying:

    Since he could not do ventriloquism convincingly, Sooty never talked.
    He transported Sooty in a box with airholes in it so Sooty could breathe.
    He had a major row with Matthew when he recovered from his heart attack and tried to take 'The Sooty Show' back.
    He reportedly received an OBE by mistake: Harold Wilson wanted to honor 'Steptoe and Son' star Harry H. Corbett, but the middle 'H' got lost while the request was being fulfilled.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He began as a musician, but took up magic when he started going deaf. (Later, an operation restored his hearing.)
    He bought Sooty at a novelty shop for seven shillings, six pence, and by the early 70s was earning £30,000 a year from the puppet -- a nice return on investment.
    'Sooty' became the longest-running children's show in British history, lasting under various titles until 2004.
    When he received an OBE, Sooty received a miniature one. (And, if anyone was worried, intended recipient Harry H. Corbett also got one.)

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 12 Votes: 25.00% Annoying