Profiles

With it being 25-years since the start of breakfast television and Timmy Mallett doing a gig at his old University, I thought it would be the perfect time to have a chat with him for the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire website.

I arrived at the Students Union just after 10:30pm and waited while Timmy and the team got ready for the gig in the Marketplace.

Mallett's mallet

As I sat in the room where Timmy had put his bags and suitcase, I suddenly spotted a mallet shaped case on the table. Attached was a label, which read Top Secret. It made me smile that the legendary pink and yellow mallet had its own special case - and it was just across the room from me!

Timmy Mallett on stage

A little while later, Timmy returned and had a break from the preparations to take part in a short interview.

We spoke about Wacaday, being a student at the University of Warwick, his music, his paintings, and plans for 2008.

I’d also taken along with me a copy of Timmy’s book called How to be Utterly Brilliant. It’s from 1989 and I’d bought it not long after its release. He couldn’t believe I’d still got it and was amused at my answers to the This book Belongs To section. I must have been about 6-years-old when I’d filled it in.

Wacaday

Who would have thought that when I was watching Wacaday and answering those Utterly Brilliant questions, that in 20-years time I would be interviewing Timmy Mallett.

After a few photographs, it was time for us all to go downstairs for the start of Timmy’s show.

Timmy and Hannah doing the Wacawave

With Holly and Camilla – the itsy-bitsy dancers – ready and waiting on stage, Timmy walked on to the Wacaday theme tune and everyone went wild.

Hear the interview

As an original Wide Awaker myself, it was clear to see why. We were all re-living our childhoods and everyone has their own memories of watching Wacaday.

It was great chatting with Timmy and also seeing how much he still loves to entertain and share memories of that utterly brilliant show.

See the photos