The programme, run on BBC 1 between 1955 and 1967 and made as a replacement for Muffin the Mule, focused primarily on a series of comedic sketches involving Sooty conducting simple tasks or ventures, which would sometimes go wrong and result in a mess that they would need to deal with. When portrayed in performances on television and stage shows, the character was cheeky and naughty, fond of playing practical jokes, but was also kind-hearted and good.

The new format included the use of educational elements in some stories, and the creation of specially designed sets for the puppet characters, which would be later updated and maintained in subsequent programmes in the Sooty franchise – in particular, a bathroom set created for the programme was specially designed so that its miniature taps and shower dispensed running water. Sweep is a grey glove puppet dog with long black ears who joined The Sooty Show in 1957, as a friend to fellow puppet Sooty. First aired in 1952 and presented by its creator, Harry Corbett, the Sooty Show became the longest running children's TV show in history according to the Guinness World Records. Alongside the transformation of The Sooty Show, Matthew branched out into stage shows featuring Sooty, bringing him closer to his audiences.He retired from the show in the early 2000s but kept four of the puppets and continued to appear when he was needed. The show introduced his trademark traits of tapping a surface to whisper into the presenter's ear what he wishes to say, owning a magic wand, the use of his magic words "Izzy wizzy, let's get busy! The show, part of the Sooty franchise, focuses on the mischievous adventures of the glove puppet character of the same name, alongside his friends Sweep and Soo, and their handler.

He and his wife Sallie moved to a retirement village near Horsham, West Sussex, after his battle with coronavirus. Although fundamentally focused upon programmes for British children's television, Sooty also incorporates stage shows, both of which make use of a mixture of slapstick comedy, prop comedy – ranging from gunge, custard pies and water pistols – magic tricks, and music. They come from the estate of the late Peter Jago (1946-2016), who first worked with the show in 1976 as stage manager, going on to become production manager and then one of the main puppeteers. Given the circumstances of the claimants being woken in the early hours of the morning, and sent back to London with something of a question mark over their conduct, we entirely understand why both claimants feel that they have been the subject of an injustice”, said Judge Adkin. The first character, Sweep, was designed to be a dog and friend of Sooty, who would be portrayed as being dim-witted but good-natured and innocent, who would often make mistakes that would cause problems for others, often get his own back on others when tricked, and have an obsession with bones.A number of famous faces made cameo appearances – usually as themselves – in Sooty and Co, including Gareth Hunt, Matthew Kelly, William Roache, Jack Dee, Paul Merton, Shane Ritchie, Frank Bruno, Jim Bowen, Rod, Jane and Freddy, Harry Hill, Barbie Wilde and Brian Blessed. The show originally focused on a sketch-based format featuring slapstick comedy, music, and stories, along with additional puppet characters, and later the incorporation of a studio audience. In 2009, Sweep along with Sooty and Soo appeared in Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band music video on "Children in Need". The creation of the franchise is traced back to 1948, when Corbett came across an all yellow bear glove puppet during a holiday in Blackpool.