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A young boy wears a Doctor Who Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Changer Mask
A young boy wears a Doctor Who Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Changer Mask. Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty
A young boy wears a Doctor Who Dalek Sec Hybrid Voice Changer Mask. Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty

Meet the new face of Christmas

This article is more than 16 years old
Mask that lets wearer talk like a Dalek expected to be among 2007's must-haves

Gallery: Toy choices for Christmas

It will drive the rest of the family to distraction within minutes of being unwrapped, but a new Dalek mask made of flesh-pink ribbed plastic will be one of the must-have toys this Christmas, retailers predicted yesterday.

The mask, modelled on a one-eyed Dalek-human hybrid which appeared in the episode Daleks in Manhattan, changes the voice of the wearer to the metallic scream of the doctor's mortal enemies. Games based on films and TV characters will fill Santa's sack this year, according to toy manufacturers who made their annual prediction of Christmas best-sellers yesterday.

Retailers said a surge in the popularity of entertainment characters could be due to the summer's bad weather, which led to increased cinema attendance. The weather led to a 2% drop in sales of bicycles, scooters and outdoor play equipment in August, one of the worst sales slumps the industry has suffered.

Children are showing an increased appetite for interactive toys, manufacturers say. This desire applies to dolls and soft toys as well as video games.

Among the predicted top-selling 12 toys for pre-school children is a cuddly new version of Rupert the Bear - "a less sinister-looking Rupert, with Botox" as a spokesman for manufacturer Martin Yaffe put it yesterday. "My Friend Rupert Bear", with familiar red jumper and checked scarf and trousers, is voice-activated and can join hands with his other friends, including Bill Badger and Edward Trunk.

Baby Annabell - the best-selling doll in the UK - is also more active than she used to be and in her latest guise can now react to sound, turning her head in the direction of her owner's voice as though she is really listening. The doll's new function requires children to speak to Baby Annabell, encouraging them to build up their vocabulary and communicate more effectively.

Also on the top 12 list is the Optimus Prime toy inspired by Transformers The Movie, along with a Flytech Dragonfly remote-controlled flying insect and a hand-held electronic device which plays word games, called Say What?

The best-selling toy overall in 2006 was the collectable "virtual pet", the Tamagotchi, which is celebrating its 10th birthday next year. It is again predicted to be one of the top 12 toys.

New this year are accessories aimed mainly at girls including lanyards, a holding pouch and clip-on jewels. The latest pet - the Tamagotchi Jinse Plus (V4) - can now be helped through school and even in its dream career as a hairdresser, pop star or dentist. Its manufacturer, Bandai, is also behind Ben 10 toys for younger boys, including an "alien laboratory" which enables users to mould aliens with reusable clay.

Games inevitably reflect popular film and TV programmes. The best-selling toy last December was the Deal or No Deal game from Drumond Park. The most popular this year are predicted to be High School Musical Mystery Date, Family Fortunes and Rubiks Revo. Seasoned favourites such Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit and a newer version of Operation are also likely to be in demand.

The Toy Retailers Association, representing 75% of the industry, published yesterday's list. Its chairman, Gary Grant, said: "This year's dream dozen once again demonstrates the versatility of the toy industry. The technological advancements used in many of the toys we reviewed this year were quite amazing, and demonstrate how forward-thinking manufacturers can be. Responding to the ever-changing demands of children is what makes this industry so innovative. The result is a truly eclectic mix of toys."

Ahead of a Doctor Who special at Christmas, the range of related toys and games licensed by the BBC is to be further expanded, according to Jerry Healey, marketing director of the manufacturer Character. The company is finalising production of a limited edition radio-controlled Dalek, 18 inches in height, due in the shops in time for Christmas, and due to retail for £99.99. A new range of "classic figures", including older Doctors, is also in the pipeline.

Top 12 overall

1 Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old? £19.99

2 Baby Annabell New V4 £39.99

3 Barbie Girls £49.99

4 Doctor Who 'Dalek Sec' Hybrid Voice Changer Mask £29.95

5 Flytech Dragonfly £34.87

6 Golden Balls £19.99

7 GR8 Art Bindeez Super Deluxe Studio Centre £19.95

8 In The Night Garden Blanket Time Igglepiggle £34.99

9 Puppy Grows and Knows Your Name £44.99

10 Roary the Racing Car £24.99

11 Say What? £24.99

12 Transformers Movie Leader: Optimus Prime £39.99

At full price, the cost of these toys would be £384.68

Top 12 for girls

1 Baby Annabell New V4 £39.99

2 Baby Born Magic Eyes Boy £34.99

3 Barbie Princess Rosella Doll £19.95

4 Bratz the Movie Funky Fashion Makeover Body £32.99

5 Grand Hotel from Sylvanian Families £89.95

6 Littlest Pet Shop Display & Play Pet Set £29.95

7 My Baby £49.95

8 My Little Pony Ponyville Teapot Palace £29.95

9 My Take Along Dolls House £24.95

10 Polly Pocket Race to Mall! £29.99

11 Puppy Grows and Knows Your Name £44.99

12 Rose Petal Cottage £79.99

Total cost £507.64

Top 12 for boys

1 Ben 10 Alien Laboratory £24.95

2 Ben 10 Omnitrix F/X £12.95

3 Cars Mega Mack Playtown £39.95

4 Creator - Monster Dino £69.85

5 Dr Who Dalek Sec £29.95

6 Dr Who Figures Assortment £6.95

7 Spider-Man Ultimate Web Blaster £39.99

8 Stretch Power Ranger £14.95

9 Transformers Movie Leader: Optimus Prime £39.99

10 Transformers Optimus Prime Voice Changer Mask £29.99

11 Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee £79.95

12 WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match Playset £19.95

Total cost £409.56

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