If you’re not old enough to remember Timmy Mallett, he was a hugely popular TV presenter from the late 80s and early 90s, who presided over Wacaday, ITV’s brilliant morning kids show, which ran from 1985 to 1992.
Timmy wasn’t a universally loved figure. His puckish enthusiasm, unusual clothing choices and relentless wackiness were loved by children, but surly teens and fun-hating adults were quick to dismiss him as a loud-mouthed, annoying prat – particularly after he started releasing novelty records like this monstrous cover of Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.
In the last few days YouTube channel VideotapeFTW has unearthed a six-minute clip from a 1991 episode of Wackaday, in which Timmy travels to South Africa and explains to his young audience the changes the country had gone through since the (then very recent) end of apartheid.
Timmy’s efforts to remain upbeat while discussing the horrors of institutional racism have led some to draw comparisons with David Brent and Alan Partridge. However, considering the audience he was speaking to, and the subject matter he had to address, we think he did a pretty decent job of it.
What do you think? Watch the clip here and let us know in the comments.
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