Timmy Mallett finishes 'peddle power pilgrimage'
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Television presenter Timmy Mallett has said his late brother Martin was "in his heart" every day of his cycle journey across the UK and Ireland.
Mallett has been completing the final leg, taking in Northern Ireland and Donegal.
The 68-year-old is raising funds in memory of Martin, who had Down's Syndrome.
Mallett told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme: "My dear, darling brother Martin, with his language and learning difficulties, has been in my mind and in my heart every single day of this journey.
"Remembering to live in the moment, to engage with people and to stop to listen and to say 'you and me, I’m happy'".
Mallett set off from Paddington Station in London last year, making his way around the coast of Britain.
He has spent the last months and 2,000kms cycling across Northern Ireland and Donegal.
His pilgrimage ends on Tuesday.
I got such an island speak message today
"Yourself is in Donegal Town... it's that you away now?"
Hang on 2000 kms round #NornIron #Donegal & I get "is that you away now???"
There's always something unexpected in my story
A wee surprise is in store for the North! pic.twitter.com/1gTEMYZvpy— Timmy Mallett (@TimmyMallett) May 13, 2024
Mallett rose to fame in the 1980s, presenting popular children's programmes such as Wide Awake Club, which later became known as Wacaday, and Around the World in 80 Seconds.
In 2008, he appeared in British grime artist Skepta's music video for 'Do The Rolex Sweep' before becoming a contestant in the jungle for ITV's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
'Be in the moment'
Mallett said he has been embracing his surroundings throughout his cycling journey.
"The important thing is to be curious and to be in the moment," he said. "It’s not about where we’re going, it’s about where we are right here, right now.
"That’s what I do on my bike. I find any opportunity to get off and look and ask a few questions. 'What’s that I’m looking at? Why is that important?'"
He also managed to catch the GAA Ulster Final between Donegal and Armagh on Sunday.
"I think sport has a really big role to play in our lives," he said.
"The way people get involved with GAA – I love it, the passion it’s played with."
Mallett has enjoyed cycling in Northern Ireland and hopes to return to continue exploring its "great cycleways" - although he concedes that "it's also got some shockers".
"It leads to wanting to explore more," he said. "But the time has come to head home.
"My team Oxford United are at Wembley Stadium on Saturday so I’ve got to go home for that. But I would like to come back and explore more. I don’t know when that will be, I just know it will happen.
"Thank you to the good people of the North - you really have made this journey so enjoyable."
