
9 school playground crazes and toys of the 1990s
1 . Tamagotchis
If keeping up with your homework wasn't enough, spare a thought for 90s schoolchildren, who also had to contend with keeping their electronic pets alive. Tamagotchis, meaning 'egg watch' in Japanese, burst onto the scene in 1996 and they were soon in the pockets of children around the globe. Youngsters had to care for their 'pets' by feeding them, often with a hamburger or piece of cake, playing games with them, disciplining them and cleaning up after them. The fact that earlier versions couldn't be paused meant they were often taken to school, where pupils could compare how their creatures were getting on. | JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images Photo: JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Greggs mania as legions of JAPANESE fans desperate to visit UK to try firm's £1.30 sausage roll
Bemused Japanese journalists even interviewed families scoffing sausage rolls outside a branch in London LAND OF THE RISING CRUMB Greggs mania as legions of JAPANESE fans desperate to visit UK to try firm's £1.30 sausage roll Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GREGGS has won a legion of followers in Japan after Madame Tussauds displayed a waxwork version of the bakery chain's sausage roll. Japanese expat influencers have been trying the British pastry favourite and waxing lyrical about it on TikTok. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Greggs has become a surprise hit in Japan, with the store even featured on national television Credit: 4 Japanese influencers have even travelled to the UK to test out sausage rolls Credit: 4 The interest in Japan was sparked by Greggs featuring at Madame Tussauds Credit: And their countrymen are now desperate to travel halfway around the world to try one for themselves. In one video, a Japanese TikTok influencer living in the UK tells her 10,000 followers she eats Greggs twice a day and says: 'If you plan to go to England, please try this.' Another said: 'Pretty sure it's a legal requirement in the UK to eat at least one Greggs.' The Newcastle-based chain became so well-known online that Japanese news channels have run TV reports explaining what it is. On one item on the popular Nippon TV network, a reporter tells viewers: 'Madame Tussauds, the wax museum that is one of London's popular tourist attractions, features numerous wax figures of British royal family members and world-famous celebrities. 'This time, the new exhibit is not a human, but a sausage roll — a popular snack in the UK. 'June 5 is designated as National Sausage Roll Day in the UK, and Madame Tussauds has created a wax replica of a sausage roll made to look just like the one sold by Greggs, a British chain. 'Greggs' sausage rolls are a beloved snack in the UK, with around one million sold each day. "The wax figure production team spent several months completing the piece, going through trial and error to recreate the flaky pastry layers and crisp texture of the sausage roll.' Greggs taste test Bemused Japanese journalists even interviewed families scoffing sausage rolls outside a branch in London, and asked why they liked them so much. One man, identified by the channel only as 'person eating', told viewers: 'The crust is crunchy, crispy and soft. The seasoning is really good.' Greggs was asked to comment on its new-found fame in the Far East. But after the waxwork was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in central London last week, Greggs CEO Roisin Currie, said: 'Seeing our sausage roll receive the celebrity treatment is a proud and slightly surreal moment for all of us.'


Wales Online
14 hours ago
- Wales Online
Arlene Phillips shares reaction to Strictly fans who mistake her for much younger judge
Arlene Phillips shares reaction to Strictly fans who mistake her for much younger judge Dame Arlene Phillips says fans are always mixing her up with her friend on Strictly Come Dancing, who is 18 years her junior, years on from her controversial axe from the BBC show Arlene Phillip said she's often having to clarify who she is to fans (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Dame Arlene Phillips is arguably the first choreographer to become a household name in Britain. Her dance ensemble, Hot Gossip, set the 1980s alight and sparked a lingerie-as-outerwear fashion trend, echoed by stars such as Sabrina Carpenter today. While those days may be behind her, Dame Arlene still remains as one of the dance industry's most well-known faces. In a recent chat, the former Strictly Come Dancing judge said fans often mistake her for the programme's current head judge, Shirley Ballas, 64. She shared: "People come running up shouting, 'Shirley! Shirley!' and I have to say, 'No, I'm the other one!'". Despite the mix-up, at 82, Arlene may find solace in being compared to someone nearly two decades her junior. Fans sometimes mistake Arlien for her pal Shirley Ballas [L] (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Arlene endured a highly publicised departure from the Strictly Come Dancing jury in her sixties, which ignited heated debates over sexism and ageism within the media. The contentious casting change led over 2,000 viewers to lodge complaints with the BBC, and even drew political ire as Deputy Labour Leader Harriet Harman lambasted the BBC's choice as "absolutely shocking." Article continues below Throughout the uproar, Arlene chose to concentrate on her own pursuits: "I wrapped myself in my world and got on with life," she told The i newspaper. Arlene made a name for herself with dance troupe Hot Gossip (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Many still approach her to opine that she shouldn't have been dismissed from the series after its 2008 season. Reflecting on her reaction to being replaced by Alesha Dixon, Arlene expressed initial anger but pointed out her swift rebound. "I gave myself 48 hours to kick, scream, cry and sob, and eat scones with cream and jam, then I made myself wake up and get on with it," she added. "I loved being on Strictly. It's very dear to my heart that I was there right from the start." Arlene continued, highlighting her resilience: "I'm a grown up so when life comes along and it doesn't go the way you want, you just get on with it." Bruno Tonioli, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood on Strictly (Image: BBC ) Meanwhile, a previous female colleague at the BBC conveyed to The Mirror their concerns about ageism, stating: "There seems to be a system that gives women no chance on air unless they are below a certain age." Article continues below They further lamented: "Arlene may have a job on The One Show, but she is being pushed out of Strictly even though she was an excellent judge with great knowledge on dancing. There is no really good reason for it." At the time, the BBC denied that ageism played any role in Arlene being replaced. In defence of the decision to bring in former Strictly champion Alesha as Arlene's replacement, BBC One controller Jay Hunt asserted: "Yes, a lot of people were upset about Arlene but the flip side is, in Alesha, we have a young, black, woman presenter, at the heart of the Saturday night BBC One schedule."


Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Billy Joel admits he attempted suicide twice and ended up in a coma after falling in love with bandmate's wife
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BILLY Joel has admitted that he attempted suicide twice and was left in a coma after having an illicit affair with his close friend's wife. Billy, 76, opened up about his mental health struggles in the upcoming documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Billy Joel, seen announcing the end of his Madison Square Garden residency in 2023, has lifted the lid on his mental health struggles Credit: AFP 3 Billy broke up his friend Jon Small's marriage when they were in the rock band Attila in the 1970s Credit: Getty 3 The singer, seen in October, is opening up about his personal life in an incoming documentary Credit: Getty The Uptown Girl singer had previously discussed attempting to take his own life in his early 20s, but has just now revealed what led to the dark point. In the doc, which was partially screened at Tribeca Festival in New York City on Wednesday, Joel spoke about busting up his best friend's marriage with Elizabeth Weber. The singer didn't make it to the screening as he continues to battle a debilitating health condition. The affair brewed after Billy moved in with Elizabeth, her husband Jon Small, and their child, while the two close friends played in their band Attila. Elizabeth, who went on to marry Joel from 1973 to 1982, looked back at their burgeoning relationship in the documentary for the first time in years. "Bill and I spent a lot of time together," she said, and described their extramarital affair as a "slow build." When Jon finally confronted the two over their relationship, Billy admitted, "I am in love with your wife," Elizabeth said. "I felt very, very guilty about it. They had a child. I felt like a homewrecker," Billy said in the documentary, according to People. "I was just in love with a woman and I got punched in the nose which I deserved. "Jon was very upset. I was very upset." Billy Joel's daughter Alexa breaks silence after his brain disorder diagnosis Attila broke up for good after Billy's shocking admission, and Elizabeth separated herself to get some space. Meanwhile, the Piano Man singer spiraled into a pit of depression over what he had done. "I had no place to live. I was sleeping in laundromats and I was depressed I think to the point of almost being psychotic," Billy said. The singer described being in "a lot of pain" as he suffered from suicidal ideation. He took a handful of pills and fell into a coma for days. Later on, the singer tried to end his life again by drinking furniture polish, and this time Jon rushed him to the hospital. "Even though our friendship was blowing up, Jon saved my life," Billy said. Jon said that they never discussed the affair at the time, but that he managed to forgive his friend anyway. "He never really said anything to me," Jon said. "The only practical answer I can give as to why Billy took it so hard was because he loved me that much and that it killed him to hurt me that much." Elizabeth went on to be Billy's first wife and manager, but they split up by 1982. In 1985, Billy tied the knot with model Christie Brinkley, and they welcomed daughter Alexa Ray Joel later that year. On August 26, 1994, Billy and Christie divorced. Billy found his third wife, chef Katie Lee, in 2004, and they were married for five years. Now, he's married to former Morgan Stanley executive Alexis Roderick, and they've been together since 2015. Billy was forced to cancel all of his upcoming tour dates after he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, which affects his hearing, vision, and balance. What is normal pressure hydrocephalus? NORMAL pressure hydrocephalus occurs when spinal fluid builds up in the skull and starts pressing on the brain. The condition can affect brain function, which can lead to a loss of memory, concentration, and motor skills. Medical experts say that NPH often presents like degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's and is usually noticed by loved ones. And around 30 percent of those suffering from the condition do also have one of those diseases, according to Cleveland Clinic. However, those who only have NPH can get relief if they have a major surgery. The surgery involves getting a shunt, which is a device that can drain fluid from the skull affecting the brain. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.