A total of 26 bids from across the world were made for the costume

An original Mr Blobby costume has been sold for £8,500 at auction.

The iconic TV character, created for the BBC's former Noel's House Party show in the 1990s, tricked and pranked celebrities, destroyed studio sets and only spoke by screeching his name.

The costume, which was one of three originals made, went under the hammer at an online auction on Monday at Auctioneum Ltd in Bristol.

Auctioneer Andy Stowe said: "Mr Blobby is an icon of nineties culture, and this result proves that Blobby-mania is very much alive and well."

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The costume attracted 26 bids, some from as far away as the USA, before the auction closed at £8,500.

It was previously predicted by auctioneers to raise up to £5,000.

A figure of Baby Blobby from the same collection, which also featured in the auction, sold for £2,100.

Andy Stowe said his firm was "blown away by the interest" in the costume

The outfit sold on Monday was specifically used for work outside TV studios and stunt work, while the other original costumes were reserved strictly for inside studios.

It also featured prominently on Mr Blobby VHS home video releases.

Stowe added: "We were blown away by the interest in this sale.

"People love nostalgia. Imagine walking in to someone's home and seeing Mr Blobby in the corner. It's the ultimate talking point.

"Discovering and selling these amazing pieces of pop culture history is a complete pleasure.

"In my job, one day it's fine art and sparkling jewellery; the next, it's Mr Blobby."

After appearing on Noel's House Party, the chaotic, bright pink and yellow-spotted character became a national and cultural phenomenon called Blobby-mania.

It was the centrepiece of the Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas in Somerset - and even beat Take That to the UK Christmas Number One spot in 1993 with his own self-titled single, Mr Blobby.

The costume was originally owned by the late Mickey Wills, Blobbyland's former head of entertainment, who also performed high-energy shows daily at the theme park.

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Auctioneum Ltd