The controversial former heavyweight champ, in the UK on a dinner tour, tried sneaking in to do some early Christmas shopping. He was mobbed and left shortly before the Christmas lights went on.

VIDEO: Watch Diversity switch on the Christmas lights at Meadowhall - CLICK HERE.

Iron Mike proved he's a big softie these days. He visited a toy shop in the mall looking for presents for his kids.

Dad-of-six Tyson, aged 43, is mourning the recent death of his four-year-old daughter, Exodus, who accidentally strangled herself on a treadmill cord at her mother's home.

Close pal Andy Booker, of Doncaster, who took him on the shopping trip, said of their Meadowhall visit: "Staff in the toy shop were amazed to see him. Their jaws just dropped open when he walked in.

"Mike bought something for his youngest. He liked Meadowhall, but it's so big we got lost.

"Word soon got out that he was there. He signed a few things and shoppers were taking photographs, but we had to leave when a crowd started to build up."

Despite a rape conviction, Tyson has been widely greeted with enthusiasm on his short tour, including a personal appearance at Doncaster club Coast2Coast.

His Meadowhall trip followed the cancellation of a dinner show he was due to attend last night, with boxing legend Barry McGuigan, at Belfast's Waterfront Hall.

It was officially called off "due to unforeseen circumstances". But protests had been expected outside as women's advocate groups expressed their disgust at his planned visit. Tyson was jailed for three years in 1993 after being found guilty of the rape of beauty queen Desiree Washington - a crime he has always strongly denied.

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