A family version of Deal or No Deal, the re-launch of original Brit doll Sindy and a credit card version of Monopoly are set to be the hottest toys this Christmas. 

Top of the list is the phenomenally successful Deal Or No Deal. Channel 4 has turned Noel Edmund’s smash hit show into a play-at-home electronic board game that is set to bring families together on Christmas Day.

For young girls, the return of Sindy is the big news. The blonde bombshell from Devon was a massive seller in the 60s and 70s and kept millions of young girls entertained.  But Barbie took control in the 80s and 90s and the new kid on the block, Bratz, had driven Sindy off the shelves of Britain’s biggest toy stores for the past four years. Woolworths bosses have given Sindy a make-over and she is being re-launched with a ‘back to her roots’ look aimed at a younger generation.

Monopoly will again be a huge Christmas seller. The latest version – Electronic Monopoly Here and Now – has done away with the world famous ‘Monopoly Money’ and replaced it with a credit card. Players swipe their card to collect or spend money.

The new Bratz doll for Christmas has a diamond twist. Bratz Forever Diamondz comes with a necklace that contains a speck from a real diamond.
Hot toys for boys this year will be Roboreptile (a remote control reptilian from the same family as Robosapien and Roborapter) and a Cyberman Voice Changer (a mask that changes your voice into the terrifying tones of the Dr Who baddie).

Backgammon will also be big this Christmas. Sets are tipped to be huge sellers as the oldest recorded game is played up and down the country.

Nick Hill, head of toys at Woolworths: “This year’s hottest toys are a mix of old favourites and new kids on the block. Brand new toys on the wish list include characters from Pirates of the Caribbean and Cars and the new Roboreptile.  But mums and dads will surely be familiar with Sindy, Cyberman and Tigger. Deal Or No Deal will be a multi-million pound seller and expect Noel Edmunds to be very much part of your Christmas Day this year.”

Top 10 toys for Christmas 2006 (in no particular order):

~ Deal or No Deal Electronic Game, £24.99
~ Bratz Forever Diamondz, £24.99
~ Cars Fast Talkin’ McQueen, £39.99
~ Roboreptile, £89.99
~ Turbo Tail Tigger, £29.99
~ Pirates of the Caribbean Black Pearl Ship, £49.99
~ Sindy – Hot Pink Mini, £16.99
~ Waddingtons Wooden Backgammon set with Draughts & Chess, £12.99
~ Dr Who Cyberman Voice Changer, £29.99
~ Electronic Monopoly Here and Now, £19.99