Timmy Mallett hails NI as grand bike tour ends
Timmy Mallett visited many parts of Northern Ireland including Stormont
- Published
Television presenter Timmy Mallett has been on his bike and turning heads in Northern Ireland and County Donegal - but his grand tour is coming to an end.
The children's TV star, best known for shows like Wacaday, has been a common and welcome sight, stopping to speak to locals everywhere from Belfast to Bundoran.
Along the way there's been scenery sketching, sport and the odd Ulster Fry.
The journey, and Mallett's feel-good missives from the road that he's been regularly posting on social media, have been a hit with people the length and breadth of Northern Ireland.
As the journey enters its final leg, the 68-year-old has been talking about the inspiration behind his positivity on two-wheels: his brother Martin Mallett, who had Down's Syndrome, and died in 2018.
"My dear, darling brother Martin, with his language and learning difficulties, has been in my mind and in my heart every single day of this journey.
"Remembering to live in the moment, to engage with people and to stop to listen and to say 'you and me, I’m happy'."
Mallett's journey began in London last year, with him making his way around the coast of Britain, before he spent the last month pedalling 2,000km across Northern Ireland and Donegal.
He set off from Paddington Station in London last year, making his way around the coast of Britain.
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Mallett rose to fame in the 1980s, presenting popular children's programmes such as Wide Awake Club, which later became known as Wacaday, and Around the World in 80 Seconds.
As a member of Bombalurina, he also scored a novelty number one hit in 1990 with Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.
In 2008, he appeared in British grime artist Skepta's music video for 'Do The Rolex Sweep' before becoming a contestant in the jungle for ITV's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
GAA Ulster Final
Mallett said he has been embracing his surroundings throughout his cycling journey.
"The important thing is to be curious and to be in the moment," he said. "It’s not about where we’re going, it’s about where we are right here, right now.
"That’s what I do on my bike. I find any opportunity to get off and look and ask a few questions. 'What’s that I’m looking at? Why is that important?'"
He also managed to catch the GAA Ulster Final between Donegal and Armagh on Sunday.
"I think sport has a really big role to play in our lives," he said.
"The way people get involved with GAA – I love it, the passion it’s played with."
Mallet enjoys the atmosphere before the FA Cup third round match between Oxford United and Arsenal in 2023
Mallett has enjoyed cycling in Northern Ireland and hopes to return to continue exploring its "great cycleways" - although he concedes that "it's also got some shockers".
"It leads to wanting to explore more," he said. "But the time has come to head home.
"My team Oxford United are at Wembley Stadium on Saturday so I’ve got to go home for that. But I would like to come back and explore more. I don’t know when that will be, I just know it will happen.
"Thank you to the good people of the North - you really have made this journey so enjoyable."
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- Published2 April
