Viral brand behind Labubu dolls to go on sale at Britain's biggest toy chain in hours
From today, shoppers will be able to find toys from the highly sought-after brand.
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The Entertainer will see POP MART toys at select stores around the UK, as the start of a larger nationwide roll-out in coming months.
POP MART has grown its global audience, particularly with consumers' increasing love for collectible toys like Labubu dolls.
The company, based in China, has pioneered the collectable toy market that is for both children and adults by merging art, fashion and pop culture.
They have revealed UK fans fans will be able to get their hands on iconic blind box collectables from POP MART.
This includes limited-edition favourites like MOLLY and SKULLPANDA which will be at select The Entertainer stores today.
The brand is already available at the latest The Entertainer store in Bluewater.
Six locations are included in the trial of POP MART products at The Entertainer, before they are rolled-out to additional stores nationwide in coming months.
The stores where the toys can be found include:
Manchester Arndale
Kingston The Bentall Centre
Lakeside Shopping Centre
Milton Keynes Centre: MK
Sheffield Meadowhall
Stratford Westfield
Coming in mystery-style blind boxes, a surprise figure is contained inside.
Dramatic moment crowds join massive queue to grab viral Labubu dolls as latest doll craze sweeps across the world
This has added to the growing excitement and demand for these products, which have even been popular amongst celebrities like Dua Lipa and Rihanna.
Chief Product Officer at The Entertainer, Brian Proctor, said: "As the POP MART phenomenon continues to rapidly grow, we're thrilled to reveal that The Entertainer will stock the popular toys in selected stores.
"The upcoming arrival of POP MART at The Entertainer highlights our ongoing commitment to offering innovative and exciting products to our customers. In addition to the arrival of POP MART, we will continue to ensure that our diverse product range offers plenty of choices for toy fans across the country.'
The Entertainer has over 160 stores across the UK, with thousands of toys and games to offer customers.
It also provides through a thousand concessions like Tesco and Matalan, as well as trading internationally and online.
News of the products coming to the UK comes just as huge crowds have been swarming to toy stores to snap up the viral Labubu Dolls at POP MART stores countries across the world.
A queue in the German city of Berlin was seen extending all the way around the block of a POP MART store as it just opened with Labubu dolls.
The craze for these collectable toys has also being going off online.
TikTokers have been raving about the collection of new plush toys that have labelled the " next Labubus".
The Wakuku dolls have been compared to Labubus, and shoppers are also able to get a blind box of the toys online.
These toys have really taken the internet by storm - with Chinese toymaker POP MART's valuation skyrocketing to £31.6bn.
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Daily Mirror
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'I saw Oasis at Wembley and three worrying details were accident waiting to happen'
Ariane enjoyed Oasis' third Wembley gig on July 30 from the upper tier, but while Liam and Noel Gallagher put on a stellar performance, three things caused chaos around her After I heard the tragic news that someone had died after being"found with injuries consistent with a fall" at an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium, I immediately felt a lump in my throat. I didn't know the circumstances surrounding what happened, but although the gig itself was amazing and I had an incredible time. Although the details of why he fell have yet to be confirmed, I remember how chaotic it felt on the day I was there, earlier in the week, because of the massive crowds and slippery surfaces. On Saturday, August 2, Oasis fan Lee Claydon, a 45-year-old from Bournemouth, died after falling from a height at the end of the Manchester-band's performance. The dad-of-three reportedly fell from an upper tier of Wembley Stadium, where Liam and Noel Gallagher were playing their fourth gig of their residency. Although the details surrounding the fall have yet to be confirmed, his devastated dad Clive Claydon, 75, claims his son's fall was an accident and he slipped. Although he wasn't at the event himself, the dad said his son "may have had a couple of beers but had not taken any drugs". He added: "People have said horrible things but it was just an accident. All I know is there was beer everywhere, it's slippery, he slipped apparently, we do not know the rest of it. There's questions about the barriers." I attended the Oasis gig on Wednesday, July 30, and had an amazing time. I was sitting in the upper tier, enjoying the music from afar, but three things really concerned me. People throwing beer, the slippery floors and steep staircases all seemed to be an accident waiting to happen. I arrived at Wembley just after 5pm, with the first support act, Cast, due to arrive on stage at 6pm. The stands were filling up slowly but surely, and people were going back and forth between the bar and the stands to refill their drinks before Oasis were due to take to the stage at 8.15pm. Although I would never expect there not to be alcohol at events like this, the sheer amount of it being spilled did cause some issues. During the second support act, Richard Ashcroft, I felt the dribble of beer hit my head as an Oasis fan slowly, and accidentally, poured his drink on my head as he was enjoying the gig. "I'm sorry, although I wouldn't have apologised for that back in the day!" he told me. As the night continued, many people started knocking over their drinks. My jacket, placed on my chair, was soaked with beer. I saw many people attempt, and fail, to use those cardboard carriers to carry four pints to their seats - and nine times out of 10 would end up spilling them on the floor. I realised how bad it had become when I went to the toilet just after Richard Ashcroft had left the stage. The chaos of all the people piling onto the stairs to go to the toilet and grab a drink before Oasis took to the stage was very uncomfortable. Because of how high up you are, I think standing in these areas can feel a little daunting. With Wembley's 90,000 seat capacity, it's the second largest stadium in Europe. While I felt safe, apart from the odd beer shower, in my seat, someone in my row did slip and fall on his way out onto the steps. The steps, which are very steep, were also covered in beer. The amount of people made it impossible to move at any speed, but I still clung onto the handrail to be safe and not to be knocked over. However, the worst bit was the steps leading down to the internal concourse, where the bars and toilets are. Throughout the night the area became more and more slippy - at one stage it felt like a sheet of ice. I saw several people slip, and one person even fell down, although he didn't get hurt. I remember feeling very happy that I wasn't drinking, so I could be extra cautious. Every time I went back down to my seat, I had a tight grip on the handrail. That being said, at the front of the tier, there were barriers and signs telling people not to stand. But as most people were standing, dancing through the whole concert, I couldn't help but think that if someone slipped and fell, they could still end up being hurt. At the end of the night, after the epic Champagne Supernova encore and fireworks, we decided to let everyone else leave in front of us. The mass exit was as chaotic as you can imagine, and several people, including me, shouted warnings behind them about how slippy it was. It seems I wasn't the only person to notice how dangerous the slippery floors could be. One Oasis fan took to Facebook on August 4 to share: "There was a girl at Wembley last night who slipped over and dislocated her knee in the concourse, my wife and I got her some help and she was taken away with her friend. Somehow my wife spotted her afterwards and we found out she was still able to watch the gig after strapping up and use of a wheelchair which was great news, not sure if she'll see this but I hope you're OK and recovery isn't too bad!! Take care on the slippery floors people." Another replied, saying: "My friend fell as well due to slippery floor. Got straight back up and we sang our hearts out and danced the rest of the night." A third wrote: "I see a man fall on the steps going down to the floor, he was really injured, blood pouring from elbow and he looked concussed. Can't believe how many people I see slip on those steps." However, not everyone agreed the stadium is the problem. On an Oasis fan group, one person said: "18 years worth of events, most with 90,000 people attending, and never an incident like it. It's a tragic accident, and blaming it on the venue or security is ridiculous." On Reddit, another said: "I went Wednesday and literally saw no drunks or trouble anywhere (queuing for the tube for an hour too)." And a third wrote: "I was in the gods-ish. Everybody seemed relatively well behaved tonight to be honest." Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Wembley Stadium said: "Wembley Stadium operates to a very high health and safety standard, fully meeting legal requirements for the safety of spectators and staff, and is certified to and compliant with the ISO 45001 standard. We are regularly inspected by certifying authorities both on an event day and throughout the year, and we regularly review and test our plans to ensure adherence to the conditions set within the stadium's general safety certificate. We work very closely and collaboratively with all relevant event delivery stakeholders - including event owners, local authorities, the Sports Ground Safety Authority and the police - to deliver events to high standards of safety, security and service for everyone attending or working in the venue."
Telegraph
22 minutes ago
- Telegraph
48 times the Japanese ambassador made us proud to be British
It's a tragedy of the British condition that we're unable to see ourselves through the eyes of others. Almost without fail, we tend towards self-deprecation, humility and polite embarrassment. We would rather talk about all the things going wrong than everything which makes our country great. Contrast that with the way the Japanese see us. The Japanese hold the UK in high regard, ranking it fifth among 50 nations in the 2024 Anholt Nation Brands Index. They see our urban attractions as the third best in the world, and put our culture and sport in the top five. More than three quarters of Japanese visitors to Britain would be 'extremely likely' to recommend it to friends. Clearly we're doing something right. And there's no more enthusiastic visitor to our country than Hiroshi Suzuki. The 64-year-old Japanese ambassador was appointed to his post in September 2024 and since then has embarked on a charm offensive, travelling the length and breadth of the UK to cheerfully and enthusiastically promote British-Japanese collaboration. After being described as 'the Paddington Bear of ambassadors', he has gained a cuddly Paddington Bear toy who accompanies him on his adventures. Along the way, Ambassador Suzuki has found dozens of interesting (and sometimes unlikely) things to celebrate about Britain, our culture, our food and our people. Wimbledon Suzuki was captivated by the wheelchair men's final, in which Japanese native Tokito Oda eventually triumphed over Britain's Alfie Hewett on Centre Court. The Delorean Though it was made famous by Back To the Future, the 'legendary DeLorean' was manufactured just outside of Belfast, with the British government offering start-up costs to help create factory jobs which it hoped would reduce sectarian violence in the late 1970s. The Titanic During his visit to Belfast, Suzuki visited the Titanic museum. There was only one Japanese person aboard the Titanic, Masabumi Hosono, who survived and returned to Japan, where he faced social disgrace for not going down with the ship. Splitting the G If it's good enough for hipsters, it's good enough for the Japanese ambassador. Splitting the G is a drinking game where you aim to drink exactly the right amount that the foam on your Guinness ends up halfway down the 'G' of the logo emblazoned on the glass. Split the G Challenge!!! — Hiroshi Suzuki (@AmbJapanUK) July 10, 2025 Tayto crisps One of Northern Ireland's most famous exports, Tayto crisps are said to be even crunchier and better than the Walkers crisps that dominate the rest of Britain. 'So good,' says Suzuki. Irish coffee Irish whiskey, hot coffee, sugar and foam – who could argue with that? Not the ambassador. Dunluce Castle Famed for its appearance in Game Of Thrones as Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy, Dunluce Castle was described by the ambassador as 'magnificent'. Soda bread and Guinness cake Yeast-less bread was peasant food in Ireland for centuries, in stark contrast to the indulgence of chocolate Guinness cake. Nigella Lawson says the stout offers a 'resonant, ferrous tang'. Bushmills whiskey Located beside Giant's Causeway, Old Bushmills Distillery was identified by whiskey expert Joe Rogers as one of the top places to drink in Britain in a recent Telegraph article. Giant's Causeway Created from vertical basalt columns which form hexagonal pillars, 'breathtakingly beautiful' Giant's Causeway might be Northern Ireland's most famous geological site, but it's not unique. Tojinbo in Fukui prefecture of Japan features similar basalt columns on its seaside cliffs. Henley Royal Regatta Despite this year's being one of the rainiest regattas in recent history, Suzuki enjoyed the glitz and glamour of the 186-year-old boat race. Opera Holland Park Is there anything more quintessentially English than a summer night at the opera? Opera Holland Park, famed for its open-air productions in leafy west London, will be taking its talents farther afield in 2027 – with a tour of Japan. The ambassador caught a performance of The Merry Widow ahead of the trip. Paddington Bear Michael Bond's ebullient bear, a symbol of how anyone can find a loving home among big-hearted Britons, didn't arrive in the UK with any paperwork. So his adoptive family, the Browns, invented two birthdays for him: June 25 and December 25. Ambassador Suzuki marked the June date with another British classic: Victoria sponge. Trooping the Colour This military parade celebrates the official birthday of the King. He appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the viewing of onlookers. In Japan, a similar tradition takes place on the Emperor's birthday at Tokyo Imperial Palace where the Emperor and Empress appear on a balcony to greet well-wishers, who wave Japanese flags and shout 'Banzai!' Epsom Derby Just like in the UK, Japan has a deep affinity for horse racing, with 21,000 races taking place in the country every year. Time to get the top hat on, Suzuki! Auchentoshan whisky While Japanese whiskey has taken the world by storm in recent years, its roots lie in Scotland. In 1918, Masataka Taketsuru, the 'father of Japanese whiskey', travelled there to master the art of whiskey distilling – expertise he brought home to help establish Suntory Whisky. Today, Suntory is one of the world's biggest whiskey brands and owns Auchentoshan distillery just outside Glasgow. Robert Burns (and Auld Lang Syne specifically) During his visit to Scotland, Ambassador Suzuki stopped by the lesser-known Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and also took part in Burns Night, celebrated each year on January 25. Burns's most famous poem, Auld Lang Syne – an ode to enduring friendship – is traditionally sung in the UK to ring in the New Year, but in Japan, it's a popular farewell song at graduation ceremonies. Irn Bru Filmed clutching a Paddington teddy bear and standing before a life-size cut-out of Robbie Williams, the Japanese ambassador swigging Irn Bru was an unusual sight, but 'it's great!' IRN BRU😄 It's great!!👍 — Hiroshi Suzuki (@AmbJapanUK) May 30, 2025 Tunnock's Tea Cakes A shortbread biscuit topped with Italian meringue and coated in chocolate, Tunnock's Tea Cakes are one of Scotland's best-loved exports – and for good reason. Even if, unlike Ambassador Suzuki, you don't have them for breakfast… Haggis 'Oh it's fantastic,' beams Suzuki, washing down a mouthful of haggis with a dram of whiskey. It might not be everyone's first reaction to a dish traditionally made by stuffing a sheep's stomach – but those who know, know. Mission: Impossible All right, it's an American film franchise with an American star, but Mission: Impossible has made no secret of its love for the UK, filming everywhere from the Lake District to the Cotswolds. For the latest instalment's premiere, the Japanese ambassador took a boat tour of London to spot some of the filming locations along the Thames. The Royal Shakespeare Company While Shakespeare's plays remain popular in Japan, Ambassador Suzuki was equally impressed by the Royal Shakespeare Company's other work – particularly its acclaimed stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli's 1988 film My Neighbour Totoro. Shakespeare The ambassador celebrated Shakespeare by taking part in Stratford-upon-Avon's annual procession to celebrate the Bard's birthday on April 26. Chelsea Flower Show After years of winning medals, celebrated garden designer Kazuyuki Ishihara finally took home Best in Show at this year's Chelsea Flower Show – for his beautifully crafted Japanese Tea Garden. Marmalade sandwiches Given his affinity for Paddington Bear, it's no surprise the Japanese ambassador would try marmalade sandwiches. Steam trains (and electric trains) Given that Shinkansen bullet trains are one of the first images that spring to mind when thinking of Japan, it's no surprise Ambassador Suzuki is a train enthusiast. He visited Heighington in County Durham to see where Stephenson's Rocket, the first steam locomotive, made its debut. While in the North East, he also toured the Hitachi factory, where electric trains for Britain's rail network are built. Durham Cathedral It may not be quite as big as York Minster, nor as well-visited as St Paul's, but there's no denying that Durham's 932-year-old cathedral is a marvel. The heritage sites of the North East Though the North East is the UK's least-visited region, Ambassador Suzuki highlighted just how much it has to offer, exploring Hylton Castle, Washington Old Hall and the iconic Angel of the North. Buckingham Palace Garden parties Getting an invitation is just as desirable for an ambassador as it is for WI members and public servants around the country… Ale and pub food There's nothing finer than a pint and a Sunday roast. Ambassador Suzuki has been known to post pictures of himself that prove he agrees… Crumpets (albeit served incorrectly) In a rare diplomatic misstep, Suzuki faced an embarrassing climbdown after sharing his enjoyment of marmalade on crumpets. 'Crumpets deserve the finest English butter and nothing else,' one Twitter commenter insisted. Bluebell woods With the UK home to nearly half the world's bluebells, a woodland carpeted in these delicate flowers is a truly British sight. Bluebells are also a key indicator of ancient woodland – forests that have been continuously wooded for 400 years or more. Afternoon tea Though tea is a vital component of both British and Japanese culture, our approaches are very different. Where it is a highly symbolic, ritualised ceremony in Japan, the social focus and light refreshments of an English afternoon tea make our version a bit more jolly. Newmarket Once again, Ambassador Suzuki was able to indulge in the Japanese passion for horse racing at one of England's most renowned races. Manchester City It didn't take long for Mancunians to notice that the ambassador made a visit to the Etihad Stadium but didn't bother to visit Old Trafford, perhaps showing where his loyalties lie… Sarson's Vinegar Admitting he 'just can't think of fish and chips without Sarson's,' Suzuki visited the Manchester factory, noting that Sarson's is now owned by Japanese malt vinegar company Mizkan. Manchester Tarts A traditional baked tart featuring a shortcrust pastry shell layered with raspberry jam and custard, topped with coconut and a cherry, Manchester tarts were a popular school dinner pudding in the 1970s and Eighties. Stop giggling at the back. Chatsworth House One of Britain's finest stately homes, Chatsworth in the Derbyshire Dales has appeared in everything from Barry Lyndon and Pride & Prejudice to The Crown. Burleigh Pottery and the Gladstone Museum Once upon a time, the Midlands was a pottery powerhouse, exporting wares worldwide and turning the region into an industrial success story. The Gladstone Museum in North Staffordshire tells the full story. 'Impressive,' says the ambassador. Pubs Ambassador Suzuki's local is the Churchill Arms in Kensington, not far from the ongoing Japan House exhibition which celebrates Japanese culture. University of Oxford Japanese Emperor Naruhito studied at Merton College, Oxford, in 1983, when he was still crown prince. His preferred hangout in those days? The Turf Tavern. Ashmolean Museum Home to everything from ancient Greek statues to the costumes of kabuki legend Bandō Tamasaburō V, the Ashmolean was a must-visit stop on Suzuki's tour of regional museums. Welsh cakes By adding fat, sugar and dried fruit to traditional flatbreads, the Welsh created one of Ambassador Suzuki's favourite UK snacks – a soft, buttery morsel of warming goodness. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! 🏴 — Hiroshi Suzuki (@AmbJapanUK) March 1, 2025 Fordham Abbey Located just outside Cambridge, Fordham Abbey reflects the 19th-century British fascination with Japanese culture. The site still boasts a Japanese garden – and just across the road, you'll find a saké brewery. Rugby Though he's visited several football stadiums on his UK travels, Ambassador Suzuki is a rugby man through and through – even donning a full kit earlier this year to mark Japan's clash with England at Twickenham. GI (geographical indication) food One of the purest delights of Suzuki's adventures around the UK is his appreciation of our heritage foods. Whether it's New Forest pannage ham or Sussex sparkling wine, the ambassador's sincere enthusiasm for British products makes us proud. The Telegraph What serious enthusiast of British culture could resist the greatest British newspaper? Suzuki revealed he's a keen Telegraph reader – and proved it when he spotted we'd dubbed him 'the Paddington Bear of ambassadors'. Happy to be dubbed the Paddington Bear🧸of ambassadors by the Telegraph 😄 I took Paddington on a journey to 🇯🇵！ — Hiroshi Suzuki (@AmbJapanUK) March 22, 2025
Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Stalker, 71, is banned from contacting Anna Friel or her daughter after turning up at her home and leaving unwanted gifts in terrifying three-year campaign
A stalker who had a 'fixation' with the actress Anna Friel has been ordered not to contact the star or her daughter as part of his bail conditions ahead of his sentencing next month. Phil Appleton, 71, admitted stalking the actress, who first shot to fame by being part of the first on-screen lesbian kiss on Channel 4 's Brookside, for almost three years. He had pursued a course of conduct 'which had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities', including sending unwanted emails, attending her home address and leaving gifts. A previous hearing heard that Friel was concerned she might see the defendant at a 'health club' they both attended. Reading Crown Court heard on Thursday that a psychiatrist had diagnosed Appleton with bipolar affective disorder and also believes he has a further diagnosis of 'erotomania' - a paranoid condition that is characterised by an individual's delusions of another person being infatuated with them. 'Mr Appleton will require close monitoring by mental health professionals', Judge Alan Blake said the psychiatrist had concluded, adding 'he has not confirmed that Mr Appleton's fixation with the complainant in this case will necessarily resolve.' Friel currently stars in BBC drama Unforgivable, a harrowing story about a family who deal with the devastating aftermath of an act of sexual abuse committed by a member of their own family. On the first day of what would have been Appleton's trial on Monday last week, the court heard Friel was unable to attend because of commitments she had in relation to the production. Jai Patel, prosecuting, also said Friel and her daughter had asked for permission to attend the trial and give evidence by video link because of 'genuine fear and distress'. Appleton, of Windsor in Berkshire, pleaded guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress earlier this week. He was due to be sentenced on Thursday, but judge Alan Blake adjourned the hearing until September 18 for a pre-sentence report to be carried out, pointing out that the psychiatrist was 'not entirely sure if his feeling towards the complainant will subside'. The defendant, who the court heard has been in custody for six months and has spent time in a mental health facility, was granted conditional bail. At today's hearing, James Bloomer KC, defending Appleton, said: 'We are dealing with a man aged 71 years who had a 25-year period of stability. 'He reaches 70 or thereabouts without a single interaction with the criminal justice system, despite his bipolar disorder.' 'Not to underestimate what has been pleaded guilty to here', Mr Bloomer added, 'this is a man whose level of need for the public to be protected from him is easy to overplay.' Mr Bloomer said the defendant had been on bail conditions, including not to contact Friel, in 2023 for a number of months without breaching them and would accept a lifelong restraining order. The lawyer said Appleton was 'absolutely determined' to do rehabilitative work and said he had learned from being in prison for the first time. 'He tells me that teaches him if nothing else does', Mr Bloomer said. He added he had felt Appleton had a 'lack of full understanding and acknowledgement of the impact of his behaviour on the victim.' 'It is more likely consistent treatment will help him to contain his feeling and reduce the risk of stalking', Judge Blake said. 'It is plain that on a number of occasions, Mr Appleton has indicated that he does not think he is unwell or needs to take his medication and has desisted in so doing.' Judge Blake agreed to bail Appleton, but declined to allow to him to stay at an address in France, instead ordering him to stay at his mother's address in Haverhill, Suffolk. Appleton was ordered not to contact Friel or her daughter Gracie Friel and must not enter the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, which will be enforced by an electronic monitoring tag. The case was adjourned for Appleton, of Springfield Road, Windsor, to be sentenced for one count of stalking without fear, alarm or distress between January 1, 2022, to December 11 last year at the same court on September 18.
