TV Timmy’s despair as Euro-trek bike stolen
FORMER children’s TV star Timmy Mallett has told of the “awful irony” after a bike he rode across Europe in memory of his late brother was stolen from his village pub.
Mallett, 62, had just returned from his 2,500-mile trip and was meeting friends at his local when the bike was stolen from a lockedup area in the car park.
The Wacaday star said the bike had been his “best pal” during his cycle, which featured the pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, in Spain.
He had embarked on the trip five days after his brother Martin, who had Down’s Syndrome and later suffered from dementia, died aged 64.
Mallett’s trip had been backed by Prime Minister Theresa May, who is also his MP, but he has been left in despair after the theft at the Kings Arms in Cookham, Berkshire, last Friday. The presenter has now offered a “substantial reward” for the bike’s return. He said: “The irony is so awful. You can take it all over the world and yet at home it was not safe at the local village, in the lovely local pub.
“I’m heartbroken. It’s more than just a bike to me. This bike I’ve cycled with 2,500 miles, halfway across Europe.
“I left in colds weather and it took two months. I was on my own and my bike was my best pal along the way, the only thing I could absolutely rely on.
“I’m devastated to lose something so special.”
Mallett said he had called the Giant E bike Martin, like his brother. He added: “I’m not looking for retribution. I don’t know the circumstances of the people who took it. I’m appealing to somebody’s good nature to do the right thing.
“There’s a possibility that someone who knows where the bike is has enjoyed my TV shows and would like to reunite me with it. Whoever took this had no idea how important it is.”