Timmy Mallett spends time with volunteers at Long Melford Museum near Sudbury

Timmy Mallett, the colourful TV sensation from the 80s, visited a Suffolk museum last week.

The Wide Awake Club presenter switched his in-your-face glasses for a more subdued look at Long Melford Museum and Heritage Centre in Chemist Lane, near Sudbury, last Thursday – but he still handed out a sticker with his ‘utterly brilliant’ catchphrase.

Annabelle Waldron, the museum volunteer presented with the sticker that ‘made her week’, said: “I grew up with Timmy Mallett, so I was a bit starstruck.

“I asked him if he gets a lot of people in their forties going ‘Oh my god, it’s Timmy Mallett!’ and he said he does.

“He was really nice and friendly, and very interested in the history of Long Melford.”

Mr Mallett was on a cycle ride up to Acton, and stopped at The Acton Crown in the town’s High Street.

His TV career began when he presented Summer Run for TV-am in 1983. He went on to present children’s show Wide Awake Club and its spin-off Wacaday – which involved wacking contestants who got their answers to questions wrong over the head with his famed foam mallett, ‘Mallett’s Mallett’.

Annabelle Waldron had only been working at the museum for nine months when Mallett walked through the doors. Long Melford Museum and Heritage Centre is looking for new volunteers to join its friendly team – and, perhaps, greet the next TV star that walks through its doors.

For more information about the museum, visit this website: https://suffolkmuseums.org/museums/long-melford-heritage-centre/.