7:00pm Wednesday 16th July 2008
By Patrick Gough
Dipsy! Tinky Winky! Laa-Laa! Po! If you're already wincing along to the next line of the song then you'll no doubt remember the Teletubbies.
The colourful toys first caused a sensation more than 10 years ago and are hotly tipped to be best sellers again this Christmas.
The show was first screened in March 1997 and became an instant hit with the Radio Times boldly declaring them "bigger than Shakespeare".
This time round the £39.99 blinking, giggling and dancing toys make a "parp" sound when knocked over and a happy "whee" sound when picked up - so much better for annoying parents with on Christmas morning.
The series, created after much educational research, was criticised for the Teletubbies "nonsensical" style of speech but it rapidly became a global hit.
In 1999 Britney Spears was pictured holding a Teletubby toy on the front cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Two years later Goran Ivanisevic won Wimbledon and claimed the show had helped him to relax.
Angelina Jolie has been spotted shopping for Teletubbies and movie star Johnny Depp has said how sorry he is that his two children are growing out of the show because he enjoys watching it so much.
In September 1997, when the Teletubby toys were first released, there was no debate as to what would be the must have present for anyone under five that Christmas.
More than 100 parents queued from 7.30am at Poole's ToysRUs to ensure they would get their Teletubby.
Back then, Yellow Laa-Laa proved to be the favourite, followed by little red Po. Because of his propensity for toting a handbag, Tinky Winky became a gay icon.
The madness soared to new heights when a Birmingham couple named their baby daughter Laa-Laa and the show became cult viewing for "Teleclubbies", zonked-out clubbers who arrived home just in time for the morning screening.
Toy store Hamleys also unveiled other predicted best-sellers for this Christmas.
A Happy Days style diner kitchen complete with toy accessories and food will sell for £149.99.
One of the most high-tech toys, listed under gifts for "boys young and old", is a chess-playing robot, selling for £119.99.
Equipped with computer programme and a robotic arm that moves pieces, the game can teach novices to play or help upgrade skills, Hamleys said.
The store's "premium" Christmas toys include a traditional Steiff teddy bear for £99.99, a Rivelin rocking horse costing £1,500 and a hand-made wooden Noah's Ark complete with wooden animals for £1,800.
As well as the Teletubbies, other traditional favourites making a reappearance this Christmas include Monopoly and a luxury leather version of the Rubik's cube with a £99.99 price tag.
Another big seller is set to be the £39 Dr Who Dalek voice-changing mask,.
Stick it over your child's head and it changes their voice into a Dalek monotone.
The enduring Daleks featured in the climax of the recent Doctor Who series, attracting 10 million viewers. It just goes to show... the old ones really are the best.
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