9:30am Tuesday 24th October 2000
LAWRENCE SHAW chats to the mad, mad Timmy Mallett, of Wacaday fame, about his past career and forthcoming panto
LOVE him or loathe him, funnyman Timmy Mallett is one of the most enduring faces on children's TV.
As one of the pioneers of early-morning TV entertainment, he was second only to Roland Rat on ITV's TV:AM show with his elaborate Wacaday show.
After all, there's not many of us who will ever forget the early morning sight of a grown man in a back-to-front baseball hat, luminous T-shirt and Bermuda shorts prancing around beating kids on the head with an oversized, soft hammer.
Having started life as a DJ on Radio Oxford, Mallett soon went on to win countless acclaims in broadcasting before he got his big break on breakfast TV.
Not long after this infectious northerner hit the screen, thousands of kids became part of the Wide Awake Club and watched Mallett religiously every morning.
Cut to the present day, and Mallett has a number one record, two books, a long list of TV presenting roles -- including his latest children's TV hit, Timmy Towers -- and countless guest TV appearance under his belt.
Not to mention the fact Mallett has played a role in panto annually since he first hit the screens -- and this year he's in Lewisham Theatre.
Leisuretime caught up with Mallett when he visited the Catford venue to size it up before rehearsals.
He told Leisuretime: "There is something about Lewisham which is so friendly.
"The venue is a superb building anyway -- especially since the refurbishment -- and the atmosphere at every show is so close-knit and neighbourly."
Long-standing Mallett fans -- of which there are far more than you'd think -- will be doubtless pleased to hear he has not ditched the infamous mallett.
With his all-new website (www.timmymallett.co.uk), older generations of Mallett fans are keeping tabs on their seemingly ageless idol.
He said: "It's incredible how many adults come up to me and make the wacawave sign.
"I often do gigs at universities, and all the crazy students are there wacawaving and trying to get my autograph.
"I am honestly really touched people remember and so many people still maintain an interest in me and my shows.
"Sometimes, I'm with my little boy on the way to school in the morning, and people will come up talking about Wacaday. He always asks me about Wacaday and Mallett's mallet."
Despite his cult-status, Mallett is still primarily a kids' entertainer.
He said: "There will always be children and they will always need entertaining -- that's the principle I work on."
And for anyone who is still not convinced, Timmy Mallett is a good egg really, then just remember the time he clouted Maggie Thatcher with his oversized mallet...
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