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Iconic 1970’s British TV show set for huge return to screens

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Iconic 1970's British TV show set for huge return to screens

The eco-friendly characters, created in 1968 by children’s author Elisabeth Beresford, will relaunch this summer as part of a full-scale global revival that includes new YouTube content blending original 1970s episodes with contemporary live-action and influencer-led shows.

Originally made famous by the BBC’s 1973 stop-motion series, the loveable Wimbledon Common dwellers became cultural icons for their environmental message about reusing and recycling objects they found.

Neil Blair, founding partner and agent at The Blair Partnership, which now manages The Wombles’ rights, said: “The Wombles is an iconic British brand with strong cultural appeal, distinctive characters with core values that translate and resonate globally.

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“It is a rich content opportunity and, with rights now aligned plus a clear development pipeline in place, the property is ideally positioned for expansion across multiple platforms and categories.

“We see significant potential to build The Wombles into a multiplatform international franchise for a new generation of audiences.”

The relaunch will see the original 1970s episodes made available on a new official YouTube channel, alongside fresh content in live-action and digital formats.

This will include collaborations with social media influencers and young presenters, who will explore themes of reuse and sustainability through arts, crafts, cooking, and gardening.

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A first-look image from the new content reveals updated versions of some of the most familiar characters.

These include Orinoco in his trademark red hat, Wellington the scientist, and Alderney, named after the Channel Island where Beresford spent her later years.

Unlike the classic stop-motion series narrated by Bernard Cribbins, the new Wombles will be brought to life using digital animation.

Plans for the franchise go well beyond YouTube.

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The Blair Partnership has consolidated all intellectual property rights for The Wombles and is developing an interactive digital game, audio productions featuring celebrity casts, new storybooks, and expanded merchandise.



There are also opportunities for television, film, theatre, live events, and mobile apps.

This is not the first attempt to modernise The Wombles.

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In 2020, the characters were redesigned to reflect greater diversity, including a darker-skinned Wellington and a social media presence that promoted International Women’s Day and climate action.

The reboot was dubbed the “Woke Wombles” by some.

At the time, Beresford’s son Marcus Robertson criticised the changes, calling them “insulting to her memory.”


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Despite previous efforts, including a series announced in 2023 that never materialised, the latest relaunch has the backing of a unified rights structure and a comprehensive content pipeline.

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The original series ran on the BBC from 1973 to 1976.

In the new programmes, influencers will join the Wombles to demonstrate how to reuse everyday objects through arts and crafts, cooking, and gardening.

Are you happy to see the return of The Wombles? Let us know in the comments

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Convicted sex offender supervised children without telling police

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Cambridgeshire Live

The 28-year-old breached his sexual harm prevention order by seeing children unsupervised

A man breached his Sexual Prevention Harm Order (SPHO) by having contact with children and failing to tell police. Lewis Garraway, 28, was handed a SHPO in 2018 after a sexual offence with a girl and serving two weeks in a young offenders institution.

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He breached the requirements of the order and was sent to prison for 18 months in October 2021. Then in 2024, Garraway met a woman in her early 20s through a dating app.

In October that year, he met her in person for the first time and stayed at her family home in the Littleport area, where two children lived. Garraway failed to notify police, which is required under his order.

During the stay, he took one of the children to a park to play rugby without supervision, again breaching the order. The 28-year-old lied and told his girlfriend he was between properties, lost his key and had nowhere to live.

One of the woman’s family members grew suspicious and confronted Garraway after they found out about his previous offences. The family member contacted the police.

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On June 12 at Cambridge Crown Court, Garraway, of Seagate Terrace, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison after admitting breaching a SHPO and two counts of failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register.

Investigating officer DC Claire Cummings said: “Garraway showed a complete disregard for the restrictions placed on him to protect others, particularly children.

“Sexual harm prevention orders and notification requirements are there to manage risk and safeguard the public. Breaching them is a serious offence, and we will take robust action against anyone who fails to comply.

“I would encourage anyone who has concerns about someone’s behaviour, particularly where children may be at risk, to report it to us so we can take action.”

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Transfer news LIVE: Rogers wants Arsenal FC, Alvarez swap; Van Hecke deal; Tonali price; Man Utd, Chelsea latest

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Transfer news LIVE: Rogers wants Arsenal FC, Alvarez swap; Van Hecke deal; Tonali price; Man Utd, Chelsea latest

The Premier League champions are also exploring a deal for Christos Tzolis, but suggestions of a swap deal involving Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and Viktor Gyokeres are thought to be wide of the mark. Chelsea, meanwhile, are planning to reinvest the money from the Marc Cucurella sale to Real Madrid back into the squad and Lewis Hall has been mentioned as a potential replacement, though the Blues may face competition from Man United to re-sign the defender.

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Hull City could face points deduction in Premier League

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Hull City could face points deduction in Premier League

Under PSR, deductions are now set based upon on the level of the overspend, locked to a grid.

Go over the £39m limit and it is a points deduction.

It starts at three points for under £2m, then four for between £2m and £4m, five for £4m to £6m, and six points for £6m to £8m.

A club can claim back one or two points in mitigation if their accounts show a positive trend, but this would not be the case for the Tigers.

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Hull would argue that this is not a result of regular operational overspending. It is a by-product of their success as only the promotion bonuses have caused it.

This is unlikely to hold sway, as Forest discovered in 2024 when they were docked four points, as it is a sign of sporting benefit from payments made to players.

Leicester City provide the precedent for Hull to receive the deduction in the top flight.

In 2024, Leicester managed to avoid a penalty by arguing the Premier League did not have jurisdiction.

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This led to a change in the rules, with the two competitions inserting reciprocal clauses in their regulations.

Such collaboration between the leagues was seen in February.

The Premier League took action against Leicester for an overspend through to the 2024-25 season. The EFL agreed to apply the six-point penalty in the Championship, which ultimately caused their relegation.

PSR is being replaced on 1 July by a new system called squad cost ratio SCR). Rather than assessing losses over a three year-period, it allows clubs to spend 85% of the income they generate on their squads and is assessed annually.

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‘Vicious animal’ unmasked after leaving men fighting for lives in ‘devastating’ attacks

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Daily Record

Colin Campbell attacked five complete strangers

A man described as a “vicious animal” left one man fighting for his life and another with life-changing injuries after a series of violent assaults.

Colin Campbell attacked five people he did not know. The attacks happened over a four-month period in 2025, with some of the assaults occurring while he was out on police bail.

He was jailed for seven and a half years yesterday (Tuesday). Mold Crown Court heard 24-year-old Campbell unleashed devastating single punches and headbutts on his unsuspecting victims. Recorder Neil Owen-Casey said it was “lucky” nobody was killed during the rampage, noting the attacker had caused “such devastation with your fists alone.”

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Prosecuting, Elen Owen said the first attack happened on March 23, 2025, outside the Lorne Public House in Rhyl. After a bystander intervened in an argument, Campbell punched him unconscious. The victim suffered a fractured skull and two brain bleeds, leaving his life “in the balance,” reports NorthWalesLive.

After being bailed by police, Campbell struck again a month later inside Tinkers Bar in Rhyl, punching another victim “from nowhere” and fracturing his jaw, eye socket, and cheekbone. The victim has been left with sight and hearing issues.

In the early hours of May 3, 2025, Campbell approached a stranger in Chester, saying, “I’m going to fight you.” He then headbutted the man and punched a member of door staff who intervened, damaging his teeth. Campbell was arrested and bailed once again. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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The final and most devastating attack occurred on July 12, 2025, on Wellington Road, Rhyl. Campbell approached a father-of-five and punched him in the face, causing him to strike his head on the ground.

Police had to administer life-saving CPR at the scene. The victim underwent emergency brain surgery for a fractured skull and extensive brain bleeds. He now requires permanent care and has “little if any memory of his loved ones”. His heartbroken family stated the attack had destroyed his life.

Campbell, of Gwynfryn Avenue, Rhyl, admitted section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, section 20 wounding, and two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm. He was also convicted after a trial for the final July wounding. The court heard he had a history of previous convictions for violence.

Defending, Sarah Yates said Campbell had a “chaotic” upbringing, mental health problems, and ADHD, which caused him to act impulsively.

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Jailing Campbell, Recorder Owen-Casey branded him a “vicious animal”, also describing him as “selfish” and “aggressive”, who was fuelled by alcohol. He noted that Campbell’s insight into his actions had “come far too late” to prevent life-altering injuries.

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Armed police rush to Cambridge estate after reports of ‘threats’

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Cambridgeshire Live

Multiple police vehicles rushed to the estate

Armed police were dispatched to a Cambridge street on Wednesday (June 17). Police were called with reports that ambulance crews had been threatened with violence on Discovery Way, off Nuffield Road.

Images from Discovery Way showed multiple police cars and two ambulance vehicles. They also showed armed police officers wearing protective helmets and vests.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called at about 8.45am today (17 June) with reports of threats of violence towards ambulance crews on Discovery Way, Cambridge. Armed officers attended and a man is now in the care of the ambulance team.”

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‘Best ever series’ from much-loved book trilogy gets ITV start date

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Daily Mirror

Austin Butler stars in the forgotten hit that is coming to ITVX next month

ITV has confirmed a much-loved television series from 2016 will land on its streaming service ITVX.

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The Shannara Chronicles, which ran for just two seasons on MTV before coming to an abrupt end in 2018, is an adaptation of Terry Brooks’ fantasy novel trilogy The Sword of Shannara.

Despite being cancelled after two seasons, the sci-fi series proved hugely popular among fantasy fans and those who had read the books, with a score of 7.1 out of 10 on IMDb and 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.

ITV has confirmed that both series of The Shannara Chronicles will be available to stream on ITVX on July 12.

The first series introduces viewers to the universe. A synopsis reads: “Thousands of years after the destruction of our civilisation, Earth is divided into what is known as the Four Lands, whose inhabitants are a mix of races including elves, dwarves, trolls, gnomes and humans.

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“At the centre is the Shannara family, whose descendants are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world.”

Meanwhile, the second series is set a year after the first, and the Four Lands are in chaos. The re-emergence of magic has the populace terrified, and an organisation called The Crimson is hunting down magic users, using fear and intimidation to sow discord among the races.

The Shannara Chronicles has a star-studded cast list, including a young Austin Butler, known for Masters of the Air, Dune: Part Two and Caught Stealing. The series also stars Poppy Drayton, Manu Bennett and John Rhys-Davies.

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Some viewers who watched the series over 10 years ago labelled it “one of the best” television series. It also received praise for its beautiful costumes, landscapes and special effects.

One reviewer wrote on IMDb: “Truly one of the best TV series I have seen in a very long time. The makeup and costumes were great. The acting was great. The whole feel of the show was mystical as it should have been…

“Told a few people about it, and now they are addicted to the show, and I really hope they do a season 2. It would be a great loss if they don’t. I grew up reading Terry Brooks’ books, and they kept me entertained as a child.

“I am so glad that they are finally putting his work to film. And think it was done really well. I hope to see them continue on with the chronicles. Great job!!”

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While another added: “A really beautiful fantasy. A lovely series. With fantasy, action, and some science fiction. Beautiful characters. It deserved to be longer.”

The Shannara Chronicles will be available to stream on ITVX on July 12.

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Armed police rush to reports of man with gun

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Cambridgeshire Live

An arrest has been made and a man remains in custody

Armed police rushed to a street in Wisbech following reports that a man had a gun. It happened yesterday (June 16) at around 12.30am on Church Mews.

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A man aged in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm in a public place. He remains in custody today, Cambridgeshire Police say.

A spokesperson for the force said: “There were no shots fired and no injuries reported. Investigations are ongoing.”

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Inquest opened into death of Little Lever man killed in Montenegro

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Inquest opened into death of Little Lever man killed in Montenegro

Assistant Coroner Michael Salt formally opened the inquest into the death of Jack Rourke at Rochdale Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, June 17.

The hearing was told that Jack, who was born on November 8, 2002, and lived on Tonge Road, Little Lever, died on May 24 this year while abroad in Montenegro.

Police Coroner’s Officer Jane Sullivan, of Greater Manchester Police, said Jack had been travelling in Montenegro for several weeks.

(Image: Lisa Rourke)

She told the court that on May 24 he had been driving to collect his girlfriend from the airport when the collision occurred.

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Ms Sullivan said: “On the way to their accommodation, a car clipped the side of his vehicle and his car overturned.

“Unfortunately, Jack was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Ms Sullivan also confirmed that on June 3 a senior police coroner’s officer attended the funeral service to formally confirm Jack’s identity.

Mr Salt said: “I agree this is an unnatural death and will be opening an inquest in due course.”

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A full “read-only” inquest hearing has been scheduled for September 14, 2026.

Jack’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from family and friends in Little Lever.

His family previously described the 23-year-old as a devoted son, brother and friend whose death had left a “void in many lives.”

Speaking after his death, his mother Lisa Rourke said she missed the constant messages and phone calls from her son.

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She said: “He never used to leave me alone, 20 to 30 times a day. He was asking me the daftest things, like ‘How do I cook chicken wings?’ or ‘How do I turn on the washer?’.

“I miss getting messages from him.”

(Image: Lisa Rourke)

He was a keen football fan who supported both Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United and was affectionately remembered by relatives as the village’s “maddest goalkeeper”.

His sister Ellie previously described him as “the best big brother to ask for”, while his grandfather Graham Cooksey said he loved family life and spending time with relatives and friends.

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His father John said he particularly missed their regular outings together, adding: “We went all over, had many lads’ days out as dad and son.”

According to reports in Montenegro, another driver was arrested and charged following the collision.

Local media also reported that Mr Rourke’s passenger suffered serious injuries and received treatment at Kotor Hospital.

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Man charged after ‘woman, child, and police officers assaulted’ on street

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Daily Record

A man was allegedly seen running around the area and getting into cars before a woman and child were assaulted.

A man has been charged after a woman, child, and several police officers were allegedly assaulted in East Renfrewshire.

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The incident took place around 9am on Monday, June 15 when cops were alerted to a disturbance on Braeside Drive in Barrhead.

A man was allegedly seen running around the area and getting into cars before a woman and child were allegedly assaulted. It is understood police officers – how many of which is not yet known – were assaulted.

A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection and was due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Tuesday, June 16.

Footage taken at the scene shows an individual being held on the ground by four uniformed police officers.

Worried onlookers can be seen gathering in the background while the scuffle between a man and cops continues.

Officers proceed to place a spit mask over the individual’s mouth before another struggle ensues.

Cops eventually place him into the back of the police van and tell locals to stand back.

Multiple, blue-lit cop vans can be seen in the area alongside a heavy police presence.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9am on Monday, 15 June, 2026, officers received a report of a disturbance on Braeside Drive, Barrhead.

“A 25-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.”

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Toy Story 5 Review: New Film Is A Return To Form For Pixar And Toy Story

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Toy Story 5 Review: New Film Is A Return To Form For Pixar And Toy Story

Few and far between are the movie franchises that make it to their fifth instalment, and, let’s call a spade a spade, by the time most series limp their way to pentalogy status, we’re more often than not in cash-grab territory than we are at a creative peak.

Given the somewhat lukewarm response to 2019’s fourth Toy Story film – at least, that is, compared to the original trilogy – you’d be forgiven for thinking that the newest instalment might follow this trend.

We’re happy to report, then, that Toy Story 5 is not just a return to form for the beloved animated series, but for Pixar in general, after a hit-and-miss run for the once-untouchable studio.

Fast-forwarding a few years on from where things were left in Toy Story 4, the newest movie reintroduces us to Bonnie, now eight-and-a-half, whose world still revolves around her toy companions, led by new sheriff Jessie (since Woody parted ways with his pals at the end of the last movie).

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We quickly discover that, outside of her world of play, Bonnie is having trouble making friends in the real world. Jessie thinks she’s come up with a solution – but, unfortunately, so do Bonnie’s parents, who think the best way for her to connect might be online and gift her with her first electronic tablet, Lilypad.

An electronic tablet called Lilypad creates a whole world of problems for our heroes in Toy Story 5

As has already been well-established, this forms the basis of the film’s main plot, as the regular toys struggle to adjust to a world where the allure of technology is making them increasingly obsolete in children’s eyes.

Toy Story 5 has a lot to say about the invasion of tech in young people’s lives over the last decade, both for better and for worse, and it makes its points without judgement or condescension. A lot of ground is covered in a short space of time, most notably the very real dangers of tech that parents should be aware of (including cyberbullying, isolation and the general zombie-fied state that our oh-so-alluring devices can leave us in).

It’s a world that we’re all – whether you’re an adult, child or, indeed, toy – struggling to keep up with, and this is conveyed brilliantly across the film. But even outside of these themes, Toy Story 5 also touches effectively on the difficulties so many of us feel when trying to make connections, and the unique joy that comes with finally achieving it.

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Part of what makes the film such a success is that it feels like a case of the Toy Story universe being used to tell a story, rather a plot being clumsily shoe-horned into existing IP to make a quick buck. Toy Story 5 certainly justifies its own existence, and has a unique – unusually contemporary, for a Disney film – point of view.

Bonnie has difficulty making friends outside of the online world
Bonnie has difficulty making friends outside of the online world

Toy Story’s enduring popularity has long been attributed to in its cross-generational appeal – particularly with its most recent instalments – with many viewers who were Andy’s age when the first film hit cinemas now taking their own children to see the action unfold on the big screen.

Toy Story 5 makes walking this famously difficult line look effortless. The animation, always one of Pixar’s strongest suits, is captivating regardless of how old you are, as is its multi-layered humour. The combination of silly moments and visual gags will keep little ones laughing throughout, while relatable gags about everything from Zoom meetings and wedding-related stress to the perils of ageing are guaranteed to raise a smirk from adults in the audience, too.

Even new character Smarty Pants, a talking potty-training device voiced by Conan O’Brien, could be grating, juvenile and offputting in the wrong hands, but somehow ends up swerving all of those pitfalls to become one of the film’s more charming additions, despite his obvious penchant for toilet humour at every available opportunity.

Conan O'Brien as Smarty Pants was a risky addition that definitely pays off
Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants was a risky addition that definitely pays off

In fact, the voice work is great across the board, with no audible indication that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have been playing these same characters for more than 30 years. The MVPs of the piece, though, are undoubtedly Toy Story newcomer Greta Lee (who voices Lilypad) and franchise regular Joan Cusack (who plays Jessie), taking the lead for the first time.

Jessie has always been a more multi-layered character than many of her Toy Story peers, but this new story allows her voice actor to show even more personality than ever before.

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And yes, this being a Toy Story film, you can expect to shed plenty of tears, too, although that probably goes without saying at this stage of the game.

If we’re being picky, we could say that Toy Story 5 does rush a little towards showing the positive sides of Lilypad – and, therefore, tech in general – so her inevitable inclusion into the main gang by the end of the film does feel a little unearned (though it will undoubtedly come as a comfort to any millennial parents grappling with their own kids’ screentime).

Joan Cusack and Greta Lee are the scene-stealers of Toy Story 5 as Jessie and Lilypad
Joan Cusack and Greta Lee are the scene-stealers of Toy Story 5 as Jessie and Lilypad

Part five also has the toy characters interfering and meddling with their human kids’ lives more than ever before, with real-world consequences in their lives, which we could imagine some Toy Story purists taking issue with at a time in cinema when “lore” and a franchise’s in-universe “rules” and “logic” mean more than ever.

However, these are tiny, negligible quibbles in a movie that was otherwise a complete joy to watch. For the avoidance of doubt, Toy Story 4 was far from a disaster, but this follow-up is much more up to the gold standard Pixar set for its flagship franchise with the original trilogy.

See you in a few years for Part Six: Revenge Of Lilypad.

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Toy Story 5 hits cinemas on Friday 19 June.

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