SOOTY and Richard Cadell are to join the cast of this year's Mayflower Theatre pantomime Cinderella, starring alongside the Strictly fab-u-lous Craig Revel Horwood and the lovely Debbie McGee from Friday December too to Sunday January 3 2021.

The television, stage, comic book, animation and film star Sooty made his screen debut over 68 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 Harry 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 Harry 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 Cinderella, Sooty will play himself with Richard Cadell as his best friend Buttons. They will join the previously announced stars Craig Revel Horwood as the Wicked Stepmother and Debbie McGee as the Fairy Godmother in yet another magical pantomime, brought to Mayflower Theatre by producers Qdos Entertainment.

Sooty was unavailable for comment but speaking about their casting Richard Cadell said: “Sooty is beside himself at the prospect of starring in Cinderella in Southampton, and I’m really excited too. Debbie and I have worked together before and became great friends and we’re looking forward to working with Craig Revel Horwood. Sooty has always wanted to appear on Strictly, so this is the closest he’ll get."

Tickets are on sale now from 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk