TIMMY Mallett could never be described as a shrinking violet. His larger than life persona and brightly coloured clothes were ideally suited to TV-am’s kids programme the Wide Awake Club, which he starred in alongside the likes of Michaela Strachan during the 1980s. He also scored a No1 hit record in 1990 with Bombalurina and their take on ‘Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’. Later week, Timmy and his son Billy cycled to Hartlepool United for the game against Oxford United in support of Sustrans, which promotes cycle routes across the country. For more details about Timmy visit www.timmymallett.co.uk.
What was your first car?
I bought a London taxi. The Austin FX4. It cost me £450 and I loved driving it. My friends would mischievously sit in the back and flick the for ‘hire’ light on to see the expressions on people's faces as we went past. Then someone got in at the lights and said "Take me across town!" Had to do it of course and they were delighted at ‘no charge’!
How many times did it take to pass your test?
Twice. I was too busy chatting.
Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?
I once raced a souped up Honda Civic at Silverstone; and always love the Grand prix since a young Jensen Button, above, was in a kids go kart TV show with me when he was eight. He won of course. So I'll have Jensen as my passenger, or better still my driver and we'll go...... tank driving!
What is your dream car?
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! We always stop at the Bull and Butcher pub in Turville in the Chilterns after the football. It's opposite the windmill that featured in the movie and we pass the pond where Truly Scrumptious drove in and got wet. I love the car, love the film, and I've been delighted to share a ride in Chitty with Chris Evans.
How would you describe your driving style?
Just like Mallett's Mallet. Look at other drivers with a smile and go Blaaah!
Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?
I bought my second car in Luxembourg and imported it with foreign number plates. It had distinctive Timmy type artwork painted on the side. What a joy!
What is playing on your in car iPod or CD player at the moment?
The Beatles of course and Itsy Bitsy - it was Number One on our wedding day and no summer's day is complete without a bit of Oh yeah!
What do you drive now and why?
I go on tour in a hatchback Renault Scenic, but son Billy and I share the driving to Oxford United in the bright yellow peril - the team colours - a Kia Picanto.
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