Brian Sandford

Brian Sandford has been the puppeteer behind Sweep since May 1987, bringing the beloved character to life for audiences of all ages. His journey into puppeteering began through a fortunate connection; his father, then the theatre manager at The New Theatre in Hull, knew Matthew Corbett, the renowned puppeteer responsible for Sooty. Seizing the opportunity, Brian's father presented his son's CV to Corbett, which ultimately led to Brian’s iconic role.

In addition to his work as Sweep's puppeteer, Sandford has made memorable appearances in various productions. He had cameo roles in the feature-length special "The Big Day Out" and the inaugural episode of the 2011 "Sooty" series, titled "The Wedding." His comedic timing shines in the second series episodes "The New Building," where he narrowly escapes a runaway toilet, and "The Genie," where he and fellow puppeteer Brenda Longman experience a hilarious ice cream mishap thanks to a magical genie.

Despite being largely unavailable during the third series, Sandford returned for a memorable appearance in the episode "Who's Got Talent?" and made a brief yet notable cameo in the series finale, "Just Deserts," standing in line outside Mr. Slater's ice-cream shop. Through his enduring contributions, Brian Sandford has solidified his place in the legacy of children's entertainment.