Toy fair at ExCeL reveals the latest must-haves for children

The self-righting remote-control UFO, scheduled for a spring release, allows sofa-bound explorers to experience the wonders of space travel without the inconvenience of leaving the house.

A total of 230 exhibitors tried to wow toy traders at the four-day event, which began on Wednesday, january 30. Products on show included space-age spring boots, electronic lie detectors, hand-stitched dolls and even the Aston Martin DBS driven by James Bond in Casino Royale.

Toy legend Lego celebrated the 50th anniversary of its famous three-tubed brick by showcasing the latest lines, such as the 007-style Agents series.

From August, fans will be able to guide their blocky friends through adventures using jet packs, attack helicopters and alarmed fortress gates.

The Wharf was offered a sneak peak of the new Indiana Jones Lego toys. The range will be released alongside the fourth Indy film in May, but you’ll have to wait and see what both Spielberg and Lego have in store.

A last-minute interview prevented former England manager Terry Venables from promoting the DVD version of the Terry Venables Title Chase game, but Dragon’s Den and Tycoon TV star Peter Jones was on hand to show off the iTeddy, alongside creator Imran Hakim. The tech teddy allows you to download and play videos and music.

Scalextric fans even got to challenge Top Gear’s king of the track, The Stig, who set a laptime of 2.9 seconds on the new Powerlaps set. The Wharf tried to ask The Stig for his tip for the next Formula One season, but, as usual, he wasn’t talking.

THERE are thousands of books to help you to become a real-life guitar hero. But what’s the secret to becoming the country’s best air guitarist?

According to two-time UK champion Gabi Matzeu, who was at the fair to promote an electronic toy for the mock musicians, it’s about letting yourself go.

The Italian-born London resident said: “First of all, it’s important to have fun and not be too self-conscious. You should also throw in a little stage presence. You have to make people believe you’re actually playing the guitar.”

Gabi burst onto the scene in 2006, winning his first-ever competition after his girlfriend secretly signed him up. The tousled virtuoso – known as the Hoxton Creeper – also took last year’s crown at the Carling Academy in Islington.

He competed in about 50 events last year, including the world championships in Finland, where he came fourth.

He said: “It’s kind of a natural thing. I suppose I’m also a very technical air guitarist. I try to incorporate a few moves and a bit of choreography.

“I do play the guitar sometimes but I’m actually more of a classical pianist. I formed the first-ever air band called Airosmith, and we played at the Guilty Pleasures night at Camden’s Koko club. But I play drums in that band because I reckon I’m a better air drummer than guitarist.”

Gabi picked up his air guitar at the age of eight, playing in front of the mirror to bands such as Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. His favourite numbers include Black Betty by Ram Jam. He’s encouraging other air wonders to take the plunge with his intermittent Air Guitar Heroes karaoke nights at the Macbeth pub in Hoxton Street.

But he’s planning to hang up his imaginary instrument to pursue his other interest – an Open University degree in astrophysics.

He said: “I want to calm down for a bit, because this is taking over a lot of my life. There’s some great talent coming through, and it’s time to give them a chance to shine. There’s a lot of interest from female air guitarists, and I’d love the next champ to be a girl.”