It’s the interview they all wanted – the chance to quiz a showbiz legend - but it’s The Northern Echo which has bagged it.

Our entertainment writer Viv Hardwick is to interview Sooty on Monday ahead of his appearance at Consett’s Empire Theatre on August 2 and Billingham Forum on September 14.

Sooty, celebrating his 65th year in showbusiness, will be joined for the chat by Sweep and you’ll be able to hear a recording on our website.

In the meantime, we want you to help us come up with the questions to be thrown at Sooty. What should we ask the little bear who’s become a giant of the entertainment world? All suggestions welcome - but keep them clean!

Leave your suggestions in the comment box below.