TV star hails ‘utterly brilliant’ Courier Country cycle trip

Mallett stops off in Angus towns

Wacky children’s TV legend Timmy Mallett has taken an “utterly brilliant” cycle journey through Courier Country.

The Mallett’s Mallet presenterturned-artist enjoyed a trip down the coast after visiting his elder brother Martin in Aberdeen.

Timmy is a regular visitor to the area and has previously used Tayside as an inspiration for his art work, which has been exhibited at Eduardo Alessandro Studios in Broughty Ferry.

The 61-year-old – who was joined by TV presenter Lorraine Kelly’s husband Steve – shared highlights from his journey on social media.

One of his first stops was to “magical” Montrose harbour before he declared himself “impressed to find Montrose has the widest streets in Britain”.

A well-earned refreshment at the Caledonian pub followed before Timmy and Steve made their way down the coast to Arbroath where they enjoyed smokies.

Timmy first fell in love with Arbroath while filming children’s TV show Wacaday in the town in the 1980s and previously painted the Bell Rock Lighthouse and the town’s coastline.

Timmy then made his way to Gayfield where he was pictured on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Arbroath FC said it was great to see him even if it was “too cold for an Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”.

After a stop off at the town’s Old Brewhouse, he then made his way to Broughty Ferry where he stopped by the Eduardo Alessandro Studios to see his painting of Arbroath cliffs.

The TV legend also had time to check out Broughty Ferry Gala Week.

He was also later seen road testing an electric bike up Whinny Brae – prompting some locals to do a double take.

Timmy is an accomplished artist in oils and acrylics.

In 2002 he painted 50 portraits for the Queen’s jubilee, including Wendy Craig, Jim Rosenthal, Lorraine Kelly, Ulrika Jonsson and Sir Clive Woodward.

Timmy stopped off at Arbroath Fisheries where he picked up some smokies. He had filmed there for Wacaday in 1988.